UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K/A
(Amendment No. 1)
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 28, 2012
CACTUS VENTURES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada | 000-52446 | 000-52446 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||
incorporation) |
501 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor New York, NY | 10017 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 300-2131
123 W. Nye Lane, Suite 129 Carson City, NV 89706 |
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) |
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
o | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a -12) |
o | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d -2(b)) |
o | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e -4(c)) |
Explanatory Note: This Form 8-K/A includes the exhibits that Cactus Ventures, Inc. was unable to include, due to size limitations. to the Form 8-K submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on January 2, 2013. The Form 8-K/A also includes a revised Exhibit 99.3 “Unaudited pro forma combined financial information of Cactus Ventures, Inc. and Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.”
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Report”) contains forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled “Description of Business,” “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors described in the section captioned “Risk Factors” below. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, information related to: anticipated operating results; relationships with our merchants and subscribers; consumer demand; financial resources and condition; changes in revenues; changes in profitability; changes in accounting treatment; cost of sales; selling, general and administrative expenses; interest expense; the ability to produce the liquidity or enter into agreements to acquire the capital necessary to continue our operations and take advantage of opportunities; legal proceedings and claims.
Also, forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this Report. You should read this Report and the documents that we reference and file or furnish as exhibits to this Report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
USE OF CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
Except as otherwise indicated by the context, references in this report to “we,” “us,” “our,” “our Company,” or “the Company” are to the combined business of Cactus Ventures, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
In addition, unless the context otherwise requires and for the purposes of this Report only:
● | “Closing Date” means December 28, 2012; | |
● | “Exchange Act” refers to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; | |
● | “Actinium” or “API” refers to Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation; | |
● | “Cactus” or “CTVN” refers to Cactus Ventures, Inc., a Nevada corporation; | |
● | “SEC” or refers to the Securities and Exchange Commission; and | |
● | “Securities Act” refers to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
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INTRODUCTION
On December 28, 2012, Cactus entered into a transaction (the “Share Exchange”), pursuant to which Cactus acquired 21% of the issued and outstanding equity securities of Actinium, in exchange for the issuance of 4,309,015 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Cactus (the “Common Stock”), which were issued to the shareholders of Actinium. As a result of the Share Exchange, the former shareholders of Actinium became the controlling shareholders of Cactus. In connection with the Share Exchange, Diane S. Button, the former sole director and officer of Cactus submitted a resignation letter resigning from these positions, effective upon the closing of the Share Exchange, and the directors of Actinium were appointed to the Board of Directors of Cactus, and the officers of Actinium were appointed as the officers of Cactus. The Company intends to continue to exchange its shares of common stock for shares of Actinium held by the remaining Actinium shareholders.
The Share Exchange was accounted for as a reverse takeover/recapitalization effected by a share exchange, wherein Actinium is considered the acquirer for accounting and financial reporting purposes. For more information about the acquisition of Actinium, see “Item 1.01—Share Exchange” and “Item 2.01—Description of Business—Our Corporate History and Background” of this Report.
As a result of the Share Exchange, Cactus is now a holding company operating through Actinium, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing certain cancer treatments.
To the extent that we are deemed to be a shell company, and in accordance with the requirements of Item 2.01(a)(f) of Form 8-K, this Report sets forth information that would be required if the Cactus was required to file a general form for registration of securities on Form 10 under the Exchange Act with respect to the Common Stock (which is the only class of Cactus’s securities subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act upon consummation of the Share Exchange).
This Current Report contains summaries of the material terms of various agreements executed in connection with the transactions described herein. The summaries of these agreements are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by, reference to these agreements, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
This Current Report is being filed in connection with a series of transactions consummated by the Company and certain related events and actions taken by the Company.
This Current Report responds to the following items on Form 8-K:
Item 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement |
Item 2.01 | Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets |
Item 3.02 | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities |
Item 4.01 | Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant |
Item 5.01 | Changes in Control of Registrant |
Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers |
Item 5.05 | Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, Waiver of the Code of Ethics |
Item 5.06 | Change in Shell Company Status |
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM | DESCRIPTION | PAGE |
1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement | 5 |
Acquisition of Actinium and Related Transactions | 5 | |
2.01 | Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets | 6 |
Form 10 Disclosure | 6 | |
Description of Business | 6 | |
Risk Factors | 12 | |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 27 | |
Description of Property | 35 | |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management | 35 | |
Directors and Executive Officers | 36 | |
Executive Compensation | 42 | |
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | 42 | |
Legal Proceedings | 45 | |
Market Price And Dividends on our Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters | 45 | |
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities | 46 | |
Description of Securities | 46 | |
Indemnification of Directors and Officers | 49 | |
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 50 | |
Item 3.02 | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities | 50 |
Item 4.01 | Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant | 50 |
Item 5.01 | Changes in Control of Registrant | 51 |
Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers | 51 |
Item 5.05 | Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, Waiver of the Code of Ethics | 51 |
Item 5.06 | Change in Shell Company Status | 51 |
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits | 52 |
Signatures | 55 | |
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 for Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Ex 99.1 | |
Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 for Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Ex 99.2 | |
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information of Cactus Ventures, Inc. and Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Ex 99.3 |
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Item 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
ACQUISITION OF ACTINIUM AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Acquisition of Actinium
On the Closing Date, Cactus entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with (i) Actinium and (ii) the former shareholders of Actinium (the “Actinium Shareholders”) pursuant to which we acquired 12,939,986 shares of capital stock of Actinium from the Actinium Shareholders in exchange for the issuance of 4,309,015shares of Common Stock to the Actinium Shareholders (the “Share Exchange”). As part of the Share Exchange, Actinium paid $250,000 to the shareholders of Cactus before the consummation of the Share Exchange. As a result of the Share Exchange, the Actinium Shareholders became the principal shareholders of Cactus.
The foregoing description of the Exchange Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Exchange Agreement filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Report, which is incorporated by reference herein.
The Offering
On October 1, 2012, prior to the closing of the Share Exchange Agreement, Actinium commenced an offering (the “Offering”) of units (the “Units”) each Unit consisting of an aggregate of (i) 181,818 shares of common stock of Actinium (the “Actinium Stock”); (ii) an “A” warrant to purchase 181,818 shares of Actinium Stock, exercisable at a price of $0.55 per share for a period of one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date of the final closing of the Offering (the “A Warrant”); and (iii) a “B” warrant to purchase 90,909 shares of Actinium Stock, exercisable at a price of $0.825 per share for a period of five (5) years from the date of the final closing (the “B Warrant”) (collectively, with the A Warrant, the “Investor Warrants”). The Units were offered to Accredited Investors (as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) for $100,000 each. Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd. was engaged by Actinium as its exclusive agent (the “Placement Agent”) to assist in placing the Units. The minimum offering amount is $5,000,000 (the “Minimum Offering Amount”) and the maximum offering amount is $15,000,000 (the “Maximum Offering Amount”). Actinium also granted the Placement Agent an option (the “Greenshoe Option”) to increase the Offering through the sale, in whole or in part, of an amount of Units equal to $5,000,000.
On December 19, 2012 and in contemplation of the closing of the Share Exchange, Actinium closed on the Minimum Offering Amount selling an aggregate of 9,366,273 Units (prior to the Share Exchange) to investors (the “Investors”), pursuant to subscription agreement (the “Subscription Agreements”) and Unit Purchase Agreements (the “Unit Purchase Agreements”) for gross proceeds in the amount of $5,151,450, and net proceeds in the amount of $4,469,776 after legal and other fees and expenses remitted to the Placement Agent. Post the closing of the Share Exchange, the Offering will continue on the same terms on a pro-forma basis with the common shares offered at $1.65 per share, the 120 day warrants exercise price at $1.65 per share and the 5 year warrants exercise price at $2.48 per share.
Registration Rights
In connection with the Offering, Actinium entered into a 2012 investor rights agreement (the “Investor Rights Agreement”) with each of the Investors, under which it would be required, within 45 days after the final closing of the Offering (the “Filing Deadline”), to file a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) registering for resale (i) all Common Stock issued to the Investors pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, in exchange for the Actinium Stock issued as part of the Units, and (ii) all shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement in exchange for the Investor Warrants (collectively, the “Registrable Shares”). The holders of any Registrable Shares removed from the Registration Statement as a result of a Rule 415 or other comment from the SEC shall have “piggyback” registration rights for such Registrable Shares with respect to any registration statement filed by Cactus following the effectiveness of the Registration Statement which would permit the inclusion of such Registrable Shares. Actinium has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective within 30 days of being notified by the SEC that the Registration Statement will not be reviewed by the SEC (and in such case of no SEC review, not later than 60 days after the Filing Deadline) or within 180 days after the Filing Deadline in the event the SEC provides comments to the Registration Statement (the “Effectiveness Deadline”). In addition, certain other holders of the Company’s common stock have demand registration rights at any time after the earlier of (i) October 2014, or (ii) three (3) months after API’s common stock becomes publicly traded.
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Lock-Up Agreement
On the Closing Date and in connection with the Offering, we entered into lock-up agreements (collectively, the “Lock-Up Agreements”) with each of the officers, and directors, as well as the Placement Agent and any other controlling persons, under which they agreed to not sell or otherwise transfer any securities of Actinium or Cactus owned by them until the date that is the earlier of (i) twelve (12) months from the Closing Date; or (ii) six (6) months following the effective date of the Registration Statement. On December 31, 2012, Actinium Holdings Ltd. (AHL) agreed not to transfer its shares of Common Stock, subject to exceptions for certain related-party transfers, transfers to trusts and other private transfers, until, in general, the earlier of (i) twelve (12) months from the Closing Date; or (ii) six (6) months following the effective date of the Registration Statement; however, the AHL “lock-up” agreement has not been finalized as of the date of this filing.
In addition, on the Closing Date and in connection with the Share Exchange, we also entered into a lock-up agreement with our former principal shareholder, Diane Button, under which she agreed to not sell or otherwise transfer any securities of Cactus owned by her until the date that is the earlier of (i) the final closing of the Offering, or (ii) February 28, 2013.
The foregoing description of the Subscription Agreements, Unit Purchase Agreement, A Warrant, B Warrant, Investor Rights Agreement, and Lock-Up Agreements are qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Forms of Subscription Agreement, Unit Purchase Agreement, A Warrant, B Warrant, Investor Rights Agreement and Lock-Up Agreement filed as Exhibits 10.6, 10.7, 4.1, 4.2, 10.20 and 4.3, respectively, to this Report, which are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 2.01 | Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets. |
The disclosure in Item 1.01 of this Report regarding the Share Exchange is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FORM 10 DISCLOSURE
As disclosed elsewhere in this Report, we acquired Actinium on the Closing Date pursuant to the Share Exchange, which was accounted for as a recapitalization effected by a share exchange. Item 2.01(f) of Form 8-K provides that if the Company was a shell company, other than a business combination related shell company (as those terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) immediately before the Share Exchange, then the Company must disclose the information that would be required if the Company were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10 under the Exchange Act reflecting all classes of the Company’s securities subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 of the Exchange Act upon consummation of the Share Exchange.
To the extent that the Company might have been considered to be a shell company immediately before the Share Exchange, we are providing below the information that we would be required to disclose on Form 10 under the Exchange Act if we were to file such form. Please note that the information provided below relates to the combined Company after the acquisition of Actinium, except that information relating to periods prior to the date of the Share Exchange relate only to Actinium unless otherwise specifically indicated.
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Business Overview
We are a biopharmaceutical company focused on the $50 billion market for cancer drugs. Our most advanced products are Actimab™-A, an antibody-drug construct containing actinium 225 (Ac-225), currently in human clinical trials for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Iomab™-B, an antibody-drug construct containing iodine 131 (I-131), used in myeloconditioning for hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (HSCT) in various indications. API is currently designing a trial which the Company intends to submit for registration approval in HSCT in the settings of refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia in older patients. The Company is developing its cancer drugs using its expertise in radioimmunotherapy. In addition, the Ac-225 based drugs development relies on the patented Alpha Particle Immunotherapy Technology (APIT) platform technology co-developed with Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center, and a related institution. The APIT technology couples monoclonal antibodies (mAb) with extremely potent but comparatively safe alpha particle emitting radioactive isotopes, in particular actinium 225 and bismuth 213. The final drug construct is designed to specifically target and kill cancer cells while minimizing side effects. The Company intends to develop a number of products for different types of cancer and derive revenue from partnering relationships with large pharmaceutical companies and/or direct sales of its products in specialty markets in the U.S.
Our Corporate History and Background
We were formed as a Nevada corporation on October 6, 1997, originally under the name Zurich U.S.A., Inc. On July 10, 2006, we changed our name to Cactus Ventures, Inc. and began pursuing our business of marketing sunglasses. The Company encountered numerous problems with various vendors and ceased its operations. The Company shifted its efforts to seeking a business combination opportunity with a business entity, and negotiated a merger of a target company into the Company. Upon ceasing its operations, the Company was considered a “blank check” company as such term is defined under the Securities Act.
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Upon completing the Share Exchange, the Company ceased being considered a “blank check” company and is now a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing certain cancer treatments.
Acquisition of Actinium
On the Closing Date, Actinium completed a Share Exchange with Cactus, whereby Cactus acquired 21% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Actinium from the Actinium Shareholders in exchange for the issuance of 4,309,015 shares of Common Stock to the Actinium Shareholders (the “Share Exchange”). Cactus has a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act of 1934 but its Common Stock is not registered under the Securities Act of 1933. As part of the Share Exchange, Actinium paid $250,000 to the shareholders of Cactus before the consummation of the Share Exchange. As a result of the Share Exchange, Actinium became the wholly owned subsidiary of Cactus and the Actinium Shareholders became the principal shareholders of Cactus.
The Share Exchange was treated as a recapitalization effected through a share exchange, with Actinium as the accounting acquirer and the Cactus the accounting acquiree. Unless the context suggests otherwise, when we refer in this Report to business and financial information for periods prior to the consummation of the Share Exchange, we are referring to the business and financial information of Actinium.
Effective following the expiration of the ten day period following the mailing of the information statement required by Rule 14f-1 under the Exchange Act, Diane S. Button has resigned from her position as member of the Board of Directors of the Company. Effective upon the closing of the Share Exchange, Diane S. Button resigned as an officer of the Company. Also effective upon the closing of the Share Exchange, Jack V. Talley was appointed to our Board of Directors. Effective as of the expiration of the ten day period following the mailing of the information statement required by Rule 14f-1 under the Exchange Act Dr. Rosemary Mazanet, David Nicholson, Sandesh Seth and Sergio Traversa were appointed to our Board of Directors. In addition, our Board of Directors appointed Jack V. Talley to serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer, Dragan Cicic to serve as our Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer, and Enza Guagenti to serve as our Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately upon the closing of the Share Exchange.
As a result of the Share Exchange, Actinium became a subsidiary of Cactus and Cactus assumed the business and operations of Actinium. Cactus plans to change its name to more accurately reflect its new business operations. As Cactus is a “reporting company” under the Exchange Act of 1934, and it is required to file periodic filings with the SEC, which include Actinium’s quarterly and annual financial statements.
Corporate History of Actinium
Actinium was incorporated in 2000 in the state of Delaware. Until the Share Exchange, Actinium was a clinical-stage, privately held biopharmaceutical company with:
● | Two clinical-stage products, Iomab.-B and Actimab.-A, in development for blood borne cancers; |
● | Preclinical data in additional cancer indications; |
● | A proprietary technology platform for novel radioimmunotherapy cancer treatments; and |
● | A proprietary process for manufacturing of the alpha particle emitting radioactive isotope actinium 225 (Ac-225). |
Iomab.-B has completed Phase I and Phase II trials as a preparatory regimen in conjunction with fludarabine and reduced intensity radiation conditioning in patients who are otherwise ineligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and the Company expects it to enter a regulatory approval trial in 2013, subject to input from the FDA concerning the design and conduct of a pivotal trial. Actimab.-A is currently in a Phase I/II trial in newly diagnosed elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In addition, using its patented Alpha Particle Immunotherapy Technology (APIT) platform and via its collaboration with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), the Company has preclinical data on potential drug candidates in several other cancer indications and expects to further develop these into clinical stage drug candidates.
The Actinium has one wholly owned subsidiary, MedActinium, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which is party to certain isotope related licenses and contracts on which the Company relies.
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Upon Actinium’s formation in 2000, it acquired Pharmactinium, Inc. and MedActinium, Inc., and through Pharmactinium, Inc. acquired certain rights to the APIT platform. Core technology patents were in-licensed from N.V. Organon which also provided seed funding. Pharmactinium, Inc. was party to a research and development agreement with MSKCC beginning in 1996. In 2002, this agreement and relationship was significantly expanded and now includes research and development, preclinical development, clinical trials and commercial technology licenses. In 2007, Pharmactinium, Inc. was merged with and into the Company. In 2007, the Company also acquired its sister company, Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Limited (Bermuda) (the “Bermuda Company”), by a merger of the Bermuda Company into API and thereby also acquired certain patent licenses relating to APIT previously licensed by the Bermuda Company to API.
In 2000, API also began what has become a long term relationship with General Atlantic Investments Limited (GAIL), an entity which has provided most of the Company’s investment capital since 2000, totaling $50.7 million. In 2010, the parent of GAIL contributed and transferred its ownership of GAIL (now renamed Actinium Holdings, Limited), whose only asset at that time was the shares of API, to an indirect subsidiary of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In January 2012, the Company closed on $7,844,268 in gross funding through the sale of Series E Preferred Stock and a Senior Convertible Note financing. Our executive office is located at 501 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10017 and our telephone number is (212) 300-2131. Our website address is http://www.actiniumpharmaceuticals.com. Except as set forth below, the information on our website is not part of the Form 10 information for Actinium.
Summary of Scientific and Business Achievements:
The Company’s scientific and business achievements to date include:
● | In-licensing a Phase II clinical stage monoclonal antibody, BC8, with safety and efficacy data in more than 250 patients in need of Hematotoietic (HSCT, currently in 7 active Phase I and Phase II clinical trials; |
● | Commencing a Company sponsored multi-center Phase I/II clinical trial for Actimab-A in elderly Acute Myeloid Leukemia; |
● | Developing and organizing manufacturing of Actinium’s lead drug candidate which was accepted by the FDA for multi-center human use; |
● | Supporting three physician sponsored clinical trials, including a Phase I and a Phase I/II trial with the alpha emitting radioactive isotope bismuth 213 (Bi-213) based AML drug and a Phase I clinical trial with the alpha emitting radioactive isotope actinium 225 (Ac-225) based AML drug; |
● | In-licensing the AML targeting monoclonal antibody known as HuM195 or Lintuzumab; |
● | Establishing clinical and preclinical development relationships with world-class institutions such as MSKCC, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (the MD Anderson Cancer Center relationship includes clinical trials only), as well as leading clinical experts in the fields of AML and HSCT; |
● | Securing rights to an intellectual property estate that covers key aspects of the Company’s proprietary technology platform; |
● | Supporting a number of pipeline projects, including preclinical experiments in metastatic prostate cancer, metastatic colon cancer, antiangiogenesis and breast cancer models; |
● | Maintaining contractual relationship with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) of the Department of Energy (DOE) which gives API access to most of the current world supply of Ac-225; and |
● | Successfully developing commercial production methods for actinium 225. |
Business Strategy
API intends to potentially develop its most advanced clinical stage drug candidates through approval in the case of Iomab™-B and up to and including a Phase II proof of concept human clinical trial (a trial designed to provide data on the drug’s efficacy) in the case of Actimab™-A. If these efforts are successful, API may elect to commercialize Iomab™-B on its own or with a partner in the U.S. and/or outside of the U.S. to out-license the rights to develop and commercialize the product to a strategic partner. In the case of Actimab™-A, API will most likely seek to enter into strategic partnerships whereby the strategic partner(s) co-fund(s) further human clinical trials of the drug that are needed to obtain regulatory approvals for commercial sale within and outside of the U.S. In parallel, the Company intends to identify and begin initial human trials with additional actinium-225 drug candidates in other cancer indications. API intends to retain marketing rights for its products in the U.S. whenever possible and outlicense marketing rights to its partners for the rest of the world.
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Market Opportunity
API is competing in the marketplace for cancer treatments estimated at over $54 billion in 2011 sales per IMS Health and projected to exceed $76 billion per year by 2015, according to the Global Academy for Medical Education. While surgery, radiation and chemotherapy remain staple treatments for cancer, their use is limited by the fact that they often cause substantial damage to normal cells. On the other hand, targeted therapies exert most or all of their effect directly on cancer cells, but often lack sufficient killing power to eradicate all cancer cells with just the antibody. A new approach for treating cancer is to combine the precision of antibody-based targeting agents with the killing power of radiation or chemotherapy by attaching powerful killing agents to precise molecular carriers called monoclonal antibodies (mAb). API uses monoclonal antibodies labeled with radioisotopes to deliver potent doses of radiation directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. The radioisotopes we use are the alpha emitter Ac-225 and the beta emitter I-131. I-131 is among the best known and well characterized radioisotopes. It is used very successfully in treatment of papillary and follicular thyroid cancer as well as other thyroid conditions. It is also attached to a monoclonal antibody in treatment of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL). It is also used experimentally with different carriers in other cancers. Ac-225 has many unique properties and the Company is a leader in developing this alpha emitter for clinical applications using its proprietary APIT technology.
API’s most advanced products are Actimab™-A, Ac-225 labeled mAb for treatment of newly diagnosed AML, a cancer of the blood, in patients ineligible for currently approved therapies, and Iomab™-B, I-131 labeled mAb for preparation of relapsed and refractory AML patients for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Iomab™-B offers the only potentially curative treatment for these patients most of whom do not survive beyond a year after being diagnosed with this condition. Iomab™-B has also demonstrated efficacy in HSCT preparation for other blood cancer indications, including Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL). These are all follow-on indications for which Iomab™-B can be developed and it is the Companies intention to explore these opportunities. In 2013, the Company intends to begin preclinical development of the mAb used in Iomab™-B by replacing I-131 with Ac-225. Such a follow-on product could have several advantages as a second generation product, including ease of transportation, minimal safety requirements for the centers using it, doses lower by orders of magnitude and significantly lower costs of manufacturing.
There are currently no approved treatments for either Actimab™-A or Iomab™-B targeted patients.
Other potential product opportunities in which a significant amount of preclinical work is being undertaken include metastatic colorectal cancer, metastatic prostate cancer and antiangiogenesis which reduces the blood supply to solid tumors.
The Company believes that its biggest market opportunity lies in the applicability of the Company’s APIT platform technology to a wide variety of cancers. A broad range of solid and blood borne cancers can be potentially targeted by monoclonal (mAbs) to enable treatment with its APIT technology. The APIT technology could potentially be applied to mAbs that are already FDA approved to create more efficacious and/or safer drugs (“biobetters”).
Clinical Trials
API has completed a Phase I and Phase I/II physician trial in AML at MSKCC using Bismab®-A, API’s first generation AML drug that consists of bismuth-213 attached to the antibody Lintuzumab™. The Phase II arm of the Bismab®-A drug study has shown signs of the drug’s efficacy and safety, including reduction in peripheral blast counts and complete responses in some patients. Bi-213 is a daughter, i.e., product of the degradation of Ac-225, with cancer cell killing properties similar to Ac-225 but is less potent.
API has commenced its first company sponsored Phase I/II multi-center trial with fractionated (two) doses of Actimab™-A, Actinium’s lead product for treatment of elderly AML that consists of an AML specific monoclonal antibody (HuM195, also known as Lintuzumab™) and the actinium 225 radioactive isotope attached to it. The Company intends to conduct these trials at world-class cancer institutions such as MSKCC, Johns Hopkins Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The Company also continues to sponsor a Phase I AML trial at MSKCC with a single-dose administration of Actimab™-A. Initial data shows elimination of leukemia cells from blood in 67% of all evaluable patients who received a full dose and in 83% of those treated at dose levels above 0.5 microcuries (uCi/kg), and eradication of leukemia cells in both blood and bone marrow in 20% of all evaluable patients and 25% of those treated at dose levels above 0.5 uCi/kg. Dose levels in that trial have been reduced as we continue our work on establishing a maximum tolerated dose.
This Phase I trial builds on the experience with Company’s first generation drug Bismab®-A that contains the same antibody used in Actimab™-A but labeled with bismuth 213, a less potent alpha emitting daughter of actinium 225 used in Actimab™-A. Bismab®-A trials and the Phase I Actimab™-A trial were focused on relapsed, refractory and other difficult to treat acute myeloid leukemia patients. The new multicenter Phase I/II trial is focused on newly diagnosed AML patients who have historically had better outcomes. In addition, the new trial includes low doses of chemotherapy with the goal of further improving patient outcomes.
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Operations
The Company’s current operations are primarily focused on furthering the development of its lead clinical drug candidates Actimab™-A and Iomab™-B. In the case of Actimab™-A, key ongoing activities include progressing a multi-center Phase I/II trial, support for an ongoing Phase I clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, managing isotope and other materials supply chain, and managing the manufacturing of the finished drug candidate product. API has secured access to much of the currently available world reserves of Ac-225 and Bi-213 through a renewable contractual arrangement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The Company projects that these quantities are sufficient to support early stages of commercialization of alpha isotopes based products. API has also developed its own proprietary process for industrial scale Ac-225 production in a cyclotron in quantities adequate to support full product commercialization.
Operations related to Iomab™-B include planning for a registration trial which will include development of commercial scale manufacturing to be suitable for an approval trial and preparation of appropriate regulatory submissions.
Intellectual Property Portfolio
API’s technology and products are protected by an extensive intellectual property estate in excess of 60 patents and patent applications, both in the U.S. and other countries. The cornerstones of the portfolio are patents and patent applications covering use of Ac-225 and Bi-213 for medical purposes and production of the Ac-225 isotope. Additional patents and applications relate to the API’s proprietary manufacturing and treatment processes. Additionally, the Company believes that several of its programs are likely eligible for “Orphan Drug Protection” including its products intended for AML as well as bone marrow transplants. Orphan Drug Protection in the United States refers to the protection provided by the 1983 Orphan Drug Act which provides seven years of market exclusivity to drugs developed to address diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 patients in the United States. Similar protection exists in Europe and provides for ten years of marketing exclusivity.
Key Strengths
API believes that the key elements for its market success include:
● | Clinical results to date imply lower development risk for its lead drug candidates: API’s lead drug candidates have been tested in over 300 patients and demonstrated favorable safety and efficacy profiles. Iomab™-B has been administered to more than 250 patients in a number of Phase I and Phase II trials and has shown a clear survival benefit in the indication for which it is being developed. Bismab®-A and Actimab™-A, drugs based on the APIT platform have so far been tested in over 60 patients in 3 clinical trials. In each trial they exhibited few side effects and have shown indications of efficacy. The current proof-of-concept Actimab™-A Phase I/II clinical trial is directed at a patient population that is generally easier to treat (newly diagnosed vs. relapsed/refractory in previous trials), and employs a more potent treatment regimen (low dose chemotherapy plus two doses of ActimabTM-A plus low dose chemotherapy vs. a single dose of ActimabTM-A in the physician sponsored trial). |
● | Additional product opportunities from the APIT platform: API’s Alpha Particle Immunotherapy technology has the potential for broad applicability for the treatment of many cancer types, which allows the Company to add new product candidates to its pipeline based on well-defined patent protected methods. The next product from the platform is expected to be a second generation BC8 product linked to Ac-225, Actimab™-B which could potentially significantly expand the market that is targeted by Iomab™-B. |
● | Collaboration with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC): API’s collaboration with MSKCC includes licensing, research and clinical trial arrangements involving MSKCC labs and clinicians and included financial support with respect to certain pre-2012 R&D-related expenses. |
● | Scientific backing of leading experts: API’s clinical advisory board and collaborators include some of the best recognized clinicians and scientists working at some of the highest regarded medical institutions in the U.S. and the world, including MSKCC, Johns Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center. This is expected to be beneficial to API both in clinical development and market acceptance assuming its drug candidates are approved. |
● | Isotope supply secured for clinical trials: API has a contractual relationship with ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratory of the Department of Energy (DOE)) that provides the Company access to the largest known supply reserves of actinium 225. Iodine 131 is readily available from a number of qualified pharmaceutical supply vendors. |
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● | Proprietary alpha emitting isotope manufacturing fully developed: API has developed its own proprietary technology for commercial scale manufacturing of actinium 225. This is expected to ensure commercial supply of Ac-225 for Actimab™-A, Actimab™-B and other actinium-linked products should they be approved. |
● | cGMP Actimab™-A manufacturing developed: API has developed at a contractor’s site full cGMP (current good manufacturing practices) manufacturing processes for its drug candidate Actimab™-A. |
● | Substantial IP portfolio: API has an intellectual property portfolio in excess of 60 patents and patent applications, both in the U.S. and other countries, which cover clinical applications of the APIT technology and methods of manufacturing actinium 225 thus giving API control over both the applications of its technology and a supply chain of its key ingredients, actinium 225 and bismuth 213 alpha emitting isotopes. |
Competition Overview
To API’s knowledge, there are no other commercial entities that have significant programs in place for developing Ac-225- or Bi-213-based drugs. In the wider field of medical oncology, the Company faces competition from: developers of other alpha emitter based drug candidates, other radioimmunotherapy based technologies, technologies for labeling antibodies with toxic drugs (antibody-drug conjugates), and for each disease indication from all drugs available and/or in development.
For Actinium’s lead indication, acute myeloid leukemia, there are a number of companies developing drugs for AML induction in the elderly. These drugs are most often small molecules. Until recently, our leukemia targeting monoclonal antibody HuM195 was under development as a native i.e. unconjugated mAb by Seattle Genetics, Inc., but its development has been discontinued due to lack of efficacy of the native mAb in that company’s pivotal trial in AML. To API’s knowledge, there are no clinical trials that have shown significant efficacy in this indication.
In the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, pharmaceuticals currently used for bone marrow ablation/conditioning are generic drugs and to API’s knowledge there are no significant industry efforts to enter this area, especially not in older patients.
Government Regulation
Governmental authorities in the United States and other countries extensively regulate, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture, labeling, promotion, advertising, distribution and marketing of radioimmunotherapy pharmaceutical products such as those being developed by API. In the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates such products under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) and implements regulations. Failure to comply with applicable FDA requirements, both before and after approval, may subject us to administrative and judicial sanctions, such as a delay in approving or refusal by the FDA to approve pending applications, warning letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions and/or criminal prosecution.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Regulation
Our research, development and clinical programs, as well as our manufacturing and marketing operations, are subject to extensive regulation in the United States and other countries. Most notably, all of our products sold in the United States are subject to the FDA as implemented and enforced by the FDA. Certain of our product candidates in the United States require FDA pre-marketing approval of a Biologics License Application (BLA) pursuant to 21 C.F.R. § 314. Foreign countries may require similar or more onerous approvals to manufacture or market these products.
Failure by us or by our suppliers to comply with applicable regulatory requirements can result in enforcement action by the FDA, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or other regulatory authorities, which may result in sanctions, including but not limited to, untitled letters, warning letters, fines, injunctions, consent decrees and civil penalties; customer notifications or repair, replacement, refunds, recall, detention or seizure of our products; operating restrictions or partial suspension or total shutdown of production; refusing or delaying our requests for BLA premarket approval of new products or modified products; withdrawing BLA approvals that have already been granted; and refusal to grant export.
Employees
As of December 28, 2012, we have 4 full-time employees and 1 part-time employee. None of these employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and we believe our relationship with our employees is good. We also engage consultants on an as-needed basis to supplement existing staff.
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Available Information
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Reports filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, including annual and quarterly reports, and other reports we file, can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Investors may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Investors can request copies of these documents upon payment of a duplicating fee by writing to the SEC. The reports we file with the SEC are also available on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov).
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included in this Report, before making an investment decision. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our shares of common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” above for a discussion of forward-looking statements and the significance of such statements in the context of this Report.
Risks Related to Our Business
We have generated no revenue from commercial sales to date and our future profitability is uncertain.
We have a limited operating history and our business is subject to all of the risks inherent in the establishment of a new business enterprise. Our likelihood of success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays frequently encountered in connection with this development and expansion. Since we began our business, we have focused on research, development and clinical trials of product candidates, and have incurred losses since inception. As of September 30, 2012, we had a deficit accumulated during development stage of approximately $52.8 million. If we continue to incur operating losses and fail to become a profitable company, we may be unable to continue our operations. We expect to continue to operate at a net loss for at least the next several years as we continue our research and development efforts, continue to conduct clinical trials and develop manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution capabilities. There can be no assurance that the products under development by us will be approved for sale in the U.S. or elsewhere. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that if such products are approved they will be successfully commercialized, and the extent of our future losses and the timing of our profitability are highly uncertain.
If we fail to obtain the capital necessary to fund our operations, we will be unable to continue or complete our product development and you will likely lose your entire investment.
We do not currently have sufficient capital for the development and commercialization of our lead product and we will need to continue to seek capital from time to time to continue development of our lead drug candidates and to acquire and develop other product candidates. Our first product is not expected to be commercialized until at least 2016 and we do not expect that the partnering revenues it will generate will be sufficient to fund our ongoing operations. We believe that we may need to raise substantial additional capital to fund our continuing operations and the development and commercialization of our product candidates in or before the last quarter of 2013.
Our business or operations may change in a manner that would consume available funds more rapidly than anticipated and substantial additional funding may be required to maintain operations, fund expansion, develop new or enhanced products, acquire complementary products, business or technologies or otherwise respond to competitive pressures and opportunities, such as a change in the regulatory environment or a change in preferred cancer treatment modalities. However, we may not be able to secure funding when we need it or on favorable terms. API’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires us to obtain the consent of our stockholders who hold a majority of our issued shares of stock and also the consent of a majority in interest of our Series E Preferred shareholders, prior to issuing any new shares of stock in consideration for new capital and also requires us, until one year after expiration of all lock-up agreements entered into in connection with the Share Exchange, to obtain the consent of the Placement Agent in order to increase or decrease the number of directors of the Company. In addition, API’s Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement provides certain of our stockholders with preemptive rights, which obligate us to offer them the right to purchase an amount of any stock issuances in proportion to the shares already owned by such stockholders. We may not be able to raise sufficient funds to commercialize our products if our stockholders do not consent to our future proposed capital raising activities.
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If we cannot raise adequate funds to satisfy our capital requirements, we will have to delay, scale-back or eliminate our research and development activities, clinical studies or future operations. We may also be required to obtain funds through arrangements with collaborators, which arrangements may require us to relinquish rights to certain technologies or products that we otherwise would not consider relinquishing, including rights to future product candidates or certain major geographic markets. We may further have to license our technology to others. This could result in sharing revenues which we might otherwise have retained for ourselves. Any of these actions may harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The amount of capital we may need depends on many factors, including the progress, timing and scope of our product development programs; the progress, timing and scope of our preclinical studies and clinical trials; the time and cost necessary to obtain regulatory approvals; the time and cost necessary to further develop manufacturing processes and arrange for contract manufacturing; our ability to enter into and maintain collaborative, licensing and other commercial relationships; and our partners’ commitment of time and resources to the development and commercialization of our products.
We have limited access to the capital markets and even if we can raise additional funding, we may be required to do so on terms that are dilutive to you.
We have limited access to the capital markets to raise capital. The capital markets have been unpredictable in the recent past for radio-immunotherapy and other oncology companies and unprofitable companies such as ours. In addition, it is generally difficult for development stage companies to raise capital under current market conditions. The amount of capital that a company such as ours is able to raise often depends on variables that are beyond our control. As a result, we may not be able to secure financing on terms attractive to us, or at all. If we are able to consummate a financing arrangement, the amount raised may not be sufficient to meet our future needs. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, or at all, our business, including our technology licenses, results of operations, financial condition and our continued viability will be materially adversely affected.
If we fail to obtain or maintain necessary U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearances for our radio-immunotherapy products, or if such clearances are delayed, we will be unable to commercially distribute and market our products.
Our products are subject to rigorous regulation by the FDA and numerous other federal, state and foreign governmental authorities. The process of seeking regulatory clearance or approval to market a radio-immunotherapy product is expensive and time-consuming and, notwithstanding the effort and expense incurred, clearance or approval is never guaranteed. If we are not successful in obtaining timely clearance or approval of API products from the FDA, we may never be able to generate significant revenue and may be forced to cease operations. In particular, the FDA permits commercial distribution of a new radio-immunotherapy product only after the product has received approval of a Biologics License Application (“BLA”) filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration pursuant to 21 C.F.R. § 314, seeking permission to market the product in interstate commerce in the United States. The BLA process is costly, lengthy and uncertain. Any BLA application filed by the Company will have to be supported by extensive data, including, but not limited to, technical, preclinical, clinical trial, manufacturing and labeling data, to demonstrate to the FDA’s satisfaction the safety and efficacy of the product for its intended use.
Obtaining clearances or approvals from the FDA and from the regulatory agencies in other countries could result in unexpected and significant costs for us and consume management’s time and other resources. The FDA and other agencies could ask us to supplement our submissions, collect non-clinical data, conduct additional clinical trials or engage in other time-consuming actions, or it could simply deny our applications. In addition, even if we obtain a BLA approval or pre-market approvals in other countries, the approval could be revoked or other restrictions imposed if post-market data demonstrates safety issues or lack of effectiveness. We cannot predict with certainty how, or when, the FDA will act. If we are unable to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals, our financial condition and cash flow may be materially adversely affected, and our ability to grow domestically and internationally may be limited. Additionally, even if cleared or approved, the Company’s products may not be approved for the specific indications that are most necessary or desirable for successful commercialization or profitability.
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Our radio-immunotherapy product candidates are in the early stages of development; and we have not demonstrated that any of our products actually cure cancer.
Only two product candidates of the Company are currently in clinical development by the Company. There is an ongoing Phase I AML trial at MSKCC under physician IND with a single dose of Actimab™-A. The Company has also commenced a Phase I/II multi-center AML trial with fractionated doses of Actimab™-A. Additionally, there are a number of physician IND trials that have been conducted or are currently ongoing at FHCRC with single doses of Iomab™-A. Neither API nor any relevant collaborative partner(s) has yet undertaken any clinical assessment or investigation of API radio-immunotherapy product candidates for other indications, including colon cancer or prostate cancer. Significant further investment may be required to acquire antibody rights and to undertake necessary research and continued development. Further laboratory and specific clinical testing will be required prior to regulatory approval of any product candidates. Adverse or inconclusive results from pre-clinical testing or clinical trials of product candidates may substantially delay, or halt entirely, any further development of one or more of our products. The projected timetables for continued development of the technologies and related product candidates by us may otherwise be subject to delay or suspension.
Modifications to our product candidates may require new BLA approvals.
Once a particular API product candidate receives FDA approval or clearance, expanded uses or uses in new indications of our products may require additional human clinical trials and new regulatory approvals or clearances, including additional IND and BLA submissions and premarket approvals before we can begin clinical development, and/or prior to marketing and sales. If the FDA requires new clearances or approvals for a particular use or indication, we may be required to conduct additional clinical studies, which would require additional expenditures and harm our operating results. If the products are already being used for these new indications, we may also be subject to significant enforcement actions.
Conducting clinical trials and obtaining clearances and approvals can be a time-consuming process, and delays in obtaining required future clearances or approvals could adversely affect our ability to introduce new or enhanced products in a timely manner, which in turn would harm our future growth.
There is no guarantee that the FDA will grant BLA approval of our future product candidates and failure to obtain necessary clearances or approvals for our future product candidates would adversely affect our ability to grow our business.
We have recently commenced a multi-center Phase I/II clinical trial for our lead drug candidate, Actimab™-A, in AML and in the future expect to submit a BLA to the FDA for approval of this product. This drug candidate is also the subject of an ongoing human safety trial being conducted under a physician IND at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. We are in the early stages of evaluating other drug candidates consisting of conjugates of Ac-225 with human or humanized antibodies for pre-clinical and clinical development in other types of cancer and the Company has recently acquired rights to Iomab™, a Phase II clinical stage monoclonal antibody with safety and efficacy data in more than 250 patients in need of HSCT. Product candidates utilizing this antibody would also require FDA approval of a BLA. The FDA may not approve or clear these products for the indications that are necessary or desirable for successful commercialization. Indeed, the FDA may refuse our requests for BLA market approval of new products, new intended uses or indications to existing or future product candidates. Failure to receive approval for our new products would have an adverse effect on our ability to expand our business.
Clinical trials necessary to support BLA approval of our future product candidates will be time consuming and expensive. Delays or failures in our clinical trials will prevent us from commercializing our product candidates and will adversely affect our business, operating results and prospects and could cause us to cease operations.
Initiating and completing clinical trials necessary to support BLA approval of Actimab™-A and other product candidates, will be time-consuming and expensive and the outcome uncertain. Moreover, the results of early clinical trials are not necessarily predictive of future results, and any product candidate we advance into clinical trials may not have favorable results in later clinical trials. We have worked with the FDA to develop a clinical trial designed to support initial safety and efficacy of Actimab™-A and on October 6, 2008, and January 5, 2009, we submitted IND amendments to the FDA for the conduct of a multi-center Phase I/II clinical trial for treatment of AML. The trial is now underway with the purpose of examining the use of Actimab-A in AML patients who are not eligible for approved forms of treatment with curative intent. The trial is not designed to support final BLA approval of the product candidate and one or more additional trials will have to be conducted in the future before we file a BLA. In addition, there can be no assurance that the data generated during the trial will meet our chosen safety and effectiveness endpoints or otherwise produce results that will eventually support the filing or approval of a BLA.
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Conducting successful clinical studies may require the enrollment of large numbers of patients, and suitable patients may be difficult to identify and recruit.
Patient enrollment in clinical trials and completion of patient participation and follow-up depends on many factors, including the size of the patient population; the nature of the trial protocol; the attractiveness of, or the discomforts and risks associated with, the treatments received by enrolled subjects; the availability of appropriate clinical trial investigators; support staff; and proximity of patients to clinical sites and ability to comply with the eligibility and exclusion criteria for participation in the clinical trial and patient compliance. For example, patients may be discouraged from enrolling in our clinical trials if the trial protocol requires them to undergo extensive post-treatment procedures or follow-up to assess the safety and effectiveness of our product candidates or if they determine that the treatments received under the trial protocols are not attractive or involve unacceptable risks or discomforts. Patients may also not participate in our clinical trials if they choose to participate in contemporaneous clinical trials of competitive product candidates. In addition, patients participating in refractory AML clinical trials are seriously and often terminally ill and therefore may not complete the clinical trial due to reasons including comorbid conditions or occurrence of adverse medical events related or unrelated to the investigational products, or death.
Development of sufficient and appropriate clinical protocols to demonstrate safety and efficacy are required and we may not adequately develop such protocols to support clearance and approval.
The FDA may require us to submit data on a greater number of patients than we originally anticipated and/or for a longer follow-up period or change the data collection requirements or data analysis applicable to our clinical trials. They may also require additional data on certain categories of patients, should it emerge during the conduct of our clinical trials that certain categories of patients are likely to be affected in different and/or additional manner than most of the patients. In addition to FDA requirements, our clinical trial requires the approval of the institutional review board, or IRB, at each site selected for participation in our current Actimab™-A clinical trial. We have submitted our clinical trial to the IRBs at participating sites for approval and we have thus far obtained approval from two IRBs, and are engaged in discussions with investigators at other sites to in order to complete the approval process with their respective hospital centers. The Company’s clinical trial protocols have not been rejected by any IRB.
Additional delays to the completion of clinical studies may result from modifications being made to the protocol during the clinical trial, if such modifications are warranted and/or required by the occurrences in the given trial.
Each such modification has to be submitted to the FDA. This could result in the delay or halt of a clinical trial while the modification is evaluated. In addition, depending on the quantity and nature of the changes made, FDA could take the position that some or all of the data generated by the clinical trial is not usable because the same protocol was not used throughout the trial. This might require the enrollment of additional subjects, which could result in the extension of the clinical trial and the FDA delaying clearance or approval of a product candidate.
There can be no assurance that the data generated using modified protocols will be acceptable to FDA.
There can be no assurance that the data generated using modified protocols will be acceptable to FDA or that if future modifications during the trial are necessary, that any such modifications will be acceptable to FDA. If the FDA believes that its prior approval is required for a particular modification, it can delay or halt a clinical trial while it evaluates additional information regarding the change.
Serious injury or death resulting from a failure of one of our drug candidates during current or future clinical trials could also result in the FDA delaying our clinical trials or denying or delaying clearance or approval of a product.
The ongoing Phase I clinical trial for Actimab™-A conducted at MSKCC was designed to establish the maximum tolerated dose of the product. As the Company expected, patients receiving highest dose of the drug administered in the trial so far had prolonged bone marrow suppression which could lead to fatal infections and other severe consequences. Consequently, the dose levels of our drug in that trial were reduced as we continue our work on establishing maximum tolerated dose.
Even though an adverse event may not be the result of the failure of our drug candidate, FDA or an IRB could delay or halt a clinical trial for an indefinite period of time while an adverse event is reviewed, and likely would do so in the event of multiple such events.
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Any delay or termination of our current or future clinical trials as a result of the risks summarized above, including delays in obtaining or maintaining required approvals from IRBs, delays in patient enrollment, the failure of patients to continue to participate in a clinical trial, and delays or termination of clinical trials as a result of protocol modifications or adverse events during the trials, may cause an increase in costs and delays in the filing of any submissions with the FDA, delay the approval and commercialization of our product candidates or result in the failure of the clinical trial, which could adversely affect our business, operating results and prospects. Lengthy delays in the completion of our Actimab™-A clinical trials would adversely affect our business and prospects and could cause us to cease operations.
If the third parties on which we rely to conduct our clinical trials and to assist us with pre-clinical development do not perform as contractually required or expected, we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize our product candidates.
We do not have the ability to independently conduct our pre-clinical and clinical trials for our product candidates and we must rely on third parties, such as contract research organizations, medical institutions, clinical investigators and contract laboratories to conduct such trials. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties or regulatory obligations or meet expected deadlines, if these third parties need to be replaced, or if the quality or accuracy of the data they obtain is compromised due to the failure to adhere to our clinical protocols or regulatory requirements or for other reasons, our pre-clinical development activities or clinical trials may be extended, delayed, suspended or terminated, and we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval for, or successfully commercialize, our product candidates on a timely basis, if at all, and our business, operating results and prospects may be adversely affected. Furthermore, our third-party clinical trial investigators may be delayed in conducting our clinical trials for reasons outside of their control.
The future results of our current or future clinical trials may not support our product candidate claims or may result in the discovery of unexpected adverse side effects.
Even if our clinical trials are completed as planned, we cannot be certain that their results will support our product candidate claims or that the FDA or foreign authorities will agree with our conclusions regarding them. Success in pre-clinical studies and early clinical trials does not ensure that later clinical trials will be successful, and we cannot be sure that the later trials will replicate the results of prior trials and pre-clinical studies. The clinical trial process may fail to demonstrate that our product candidates are safe and effective for the proposed indicated uses. If FDA concludes that the clinical trials for Actimab™-A, or any other product candidate for which we might seek clearance, have failed to demonstrate safety and effectiveness, we would not receive FDA clearance to market that product candidate in the United States for the indications sought. In addition, such an outcome could cause us to abandon the product candidate and might delay development of others. Any delay or termination of our clinical trials will delay the filing of any submissions with the FDA and, ultimately, our ability to commercialize our product candidates and generate revenues. It is also possible that patients enrolled in clinical trials will experience adverse side effects that are not currently part of a product candidate’s profile. In addition, our clinical trials for Actimab™-A involve a relatively small patient population. Because of the small sample size, their results may not be indicative of future results.
Actimab™-A and future product candidates may never achieve market acceptance.
Actimab™-A and future product candidates that we may develop may never gain market acceptance among physicians, patients and the medical community. The degree of market acceptance of any of product will depend on a number of factors, including the actual and perceived effectiveness and reliability of the product; the results of any long−term clinical trials relating to use of the product; the availability, relative cost and perceived advantages and disadvantages of alternative technologies; the degree to which treatments using the product are approved for reimbursement by public and private insurers; the strength of our marketing and distribution infrastructure; and the level of education and awareness among physicians and hospitals concerning the product.
Failure of Actimab™-A or any of our other product candidates to significantly penetrate current or new markets would negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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To be commercially successful, physicians must be persuaded that using our product candidates for treatment of AML and other cancers are effective alternatives to existing therapies and treatments.
We believe that oncologists and other physicians will not widely adopt a product candidate unless they determine, based on experience, clinical data, and published peer-reviewed journal articles, that the use of that product candidate provides an effective alternative to other means of treating specific cancers. Patient studies or clinical experience may indicate that treatment with our product candidates does not provide patients with sufficient benefits in extension of life or quality of life. We believe that recommendations and support for the use of each product candidate from influential physicians will be essential for widespread market acceptance. Our product candidates are still in the development stage and it is premature to attempt to gain support from physicians at this time. We can provide no assurance that such support will ever be obtained. If our product candidates do not receive such support from these physicians and from long-term data, physicians may not use or continue to use, and hospitals may not purchase or continue to purchase, them.
Even if our product candidates are approved by regulatory authorities, if we or our suppliers fail to comply with ongoing FDA regulation or if we experience unanticipated problems with our products, these products could be subject to restrictions or withdrawal from the market.
Any product candidate for which we obtain FDA clearance or approval, and the manufacturing processes, reporting requirements, post-approval clinical data and promotional activities for such product candidate, will be subject to continued regulatory review, oversight and periodic inspections by the FDA. In particular, we and our suppliers are required to comply with FDA’s Quality System Regulations, or QSR, and International Standards Organization, or ISO, regulations for the manufacture of products and other regulations which cover the methods and documentation of the design, testing, production, control, quality assurance, labeling, packaging, storage and shipping of any product candidate for which we obtain clearance or approval. Additionally, because our product candidates include radio-active isotopes, they will be subject to additional regulation and oversight from the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and similar bodies in other jurisdictions. Regulatory bodies, such as the FDA, enforce these regulations through periodic inspections. The failure by us or one of our suppliers to comply with applicable statutes and regulations administered by the FDA and other regulatory bodies, or the failure to timely and adequately respond to any adverse inspectional observations or safety issues, could result in, among other things, enforcement actions by the FDA and/or other regulatory bodies.
If any of these actions were to occur, it would harm our reputation and cause our future product sales and profitability to suffer and may prevent us from generating revenue. Furthermore, our key component suppliers may not currently be or may not continue to be in compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements which could result in our failure to produce our product candidates on a timely basis and in the required quantities, if at all.
Even if regulatory clearance or approval of a product candidate is granted, such clearance or approval may be subject to limitations on the intended uses for which a product may be marketed and reduce the potential to successfully commercialize that product and generate revenue from that product. If the FDA determines that the product promotional materials, labeling, training or other marketing or educational activities constitute promotion of an unapproved use, it could request that we or our commercialization partners cease or modify our training or promotional materials or subject us to regulatory enforcement actions. It is also possible that other federal, state or foreign enforcement authorities might take action if they consider such training or other promotional materials to constitute promotion of an unapproved use, which could result in significant fines or penalties under other statutory authorities, such as laws prohibiting false claims for reimbursement.
In addition, we may be required to conduct costly post-market testing and surveillance to monitor the safety or effectiveness of our products, and we must comply with adverse event and phamacovigilence reporting requirements, including the reporting of adverse events which occur in connection with, and whether or not directly related to, our products. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with our products, including unanticipated adverse events or adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, manufacturing problems, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in changes to labeling, restrictions on such products or manufacturing processes, withdrawal of the products from the market, voluntary or mandatory recalls, a requirement to recall, replace or refund the cost of any product we manufacture or distribute, fines, suspension of regulatory approvals, product seizures, injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties which would adversely affect our business, operating results and prospects.
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Our revenue stream will depend upon third party reimbursement.
The commercial success of our product candidates in both domestic and international markets will be substantially dependent on whether third-party coverage and reimbursement is available for patients that use our products. However, the availability of insurance coverage and reimbursement for newly approved cancer therapies is uncertain, and therefore, third-party coverage may be particularly difficult to obtain even if our products are approved by the FDA as safe and efficacious. Patients using existing approved therapies are generally reimbursed all or part of the product cost by Medicare or other third-party payors. Medicare, Medicaid, health maintenance organizations and other third-party payors are increasingly attempting to contain healthcare costs by limiting both coverage and the level of reimbursement of new drugs, and, as a result, they may not cover or provide adequate payment for these products. Submission of applications for reimbursement approval generally does not occur prior to the filing of an NDA for that product and may not be granted until many months after NDA approval. In order to obtain reimbursement arrangements for these products, we or our commercialization partners may have to agree to a net sales price lower than the net sales price we might charge in other sales channels. The continuing efforts of government and third-party payors to contain or reduce the costs of healthcare may limit our revenue. Initial dependence on the commercial success of our products may make our revenues particularly susceptible to any cost containment or reduction efforts.
We are dependent on third parties for manufacturing and marketing of our proposed proprietary products. If we are not able to secure favorable arrangements with such third parties, our business and financial condition would be harmed.
We will not manufacture any of our proposed proprietary products for commercial sale nor do we have the resources necessary to do so. In addition, we currently do not have the capability to market drug products ourselves. We intend to contract with specialized manufacturing companies to manufacture our proposed proprietary products and partner with larger pharmaceutical companies for their commercialization. In connection with our efforts to commercialize our proposed proprietary products, we will seek to secure favorable arrangements with third parties to distribute, promote, market and sell them. If we are not able to secure favorable commercial terms or arrangements with third parties for distribution, marketing, promotion and sales of our proposed proprietary products, we may have to retain promotional and marketing rights and seek to develop the commercial resources necessary to promote or co-promote or co-market certain or all of our proprietary product candidates to the appropriate channels of distribution in order to reach the specific medical market that we are targeting. We may not be able to enter into any partnering arrangements on this or any other basis. If we are not able to secure favorable partnering arrangements, or are unable to develop the appropriate resources necessary for the commercialization of our proposed proprietary products, our business and financial condition could be harmed. In addition, we will have to hire additional employees or consultants, since our current employees have limited experience in these areas. Sufficient employees with relevant skills may not be available to us. Any increase in the number of our employees would increase our expense level, and could have an adverse effect on our financial position.
In addition, we, or our potential commercial partners, may not successfully introduce our proposed proprietary products or they may not achieve acceptance by patients, health care providers and insurance companies. Further, it is possible that we may not be able to secure arrangements to manufacture, market, distribute, promote and sell our proposed proprietary products at favorable commercial terms that would permit us to make a profit. To the extent that corporate partners conduct clinical trials, we may not be able to control the design and conduct of these clinical trials.
We may have conflicts with our partners that could delay or prevent the development or commercialization of our product candidates.
We may have conflicts with our partners, such as conflicts concerning the interpretation of preclinical or clinical data, the achievement of milestones, the interpretation of contractual obligations, payments for services, development obligations or the ownership of intellectual property developed during our collaboration. If any conflicts arise with any of our partners, such partner may act in a manner that is adverse to our best interests. Any such disagreement could result in one or more of the following, each of which could delay or prevent the development or commercialization of our product candidates, and in turn prevent us from generating revenues: unwillingness on the part of a partner to pay us milestone payments or royalties we believe are due under a collaboration; uncertainty regarding ownership of intellectual property rights arising from our collaborative activities, which could prevent us from entering into additional collaborations; unwillingness by the partner to cooperate in the development or manufacture of the product, including providing us with product data or materials; unwillingness on the part of a partner to keep us informed regarding the progress of its development and commercialization activities or to permit public disclosure of the results of those activities; initiating litigation or alternative dispute resolution options by either party to resolve the dispute; or attempts by either party to terminate the agreement.
Upon commercialization of our product candidates, we may be dependent on third parties to market, distribute and sell them.
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Our ability to receive revenues may be dependent upon the sales and marketing efforts of any future co-marketing partners and third-party distributors. At this time, we have not entered into an agreement with any commercialization partner and only plan to do so after the successful completion of Phase II clinical trials and prior to commercialization. If we fail to reach an agreement with any commercialization partner, or if upon reaching such an agreement that partner fails to sell a large volume of our products, it may have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our product candidates will face significant competition in the markets for them, and if they are unable to compete successfully, our business will suffer.
Our product candidates face, and will continue to face, intense competition from large pharmaceutical companies, as well as academic and research institutions. We compete in an industry that is characterized by (i) rapid technological change, (ii) evolving industry standards, (iii) emerging competition and (iv) new product introductions. Our competitors have existing products and technologies that will compete with our product candidates and technologies and may develop and commercialize additional products and technologies that will compete with our product candidates and technologies. Because several competing companies and institutions have greater financial resources than us, they may be able to (i) provide broader services and product lines, (ii) make greater investments in research and development, or R&D, and (iii) carry on broader R&D initiatives. Our competitors also have greater development capabilities than we do and have substantially greater experience in undertaking preclinical and clinical testing of product candidates, obtaining regulatory approvals, and manufacturing and marketing pharmaceutical products. They also have greater name recognition and better access to customers than us. Our chief competitors include companies such as Bayer Schering Pharma AG, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Algeta ASA.
Adverse events involving our products may lead the FDA to delay or deny clearance for our product candidates or result in product recalls that could harm our reputation, business and financial results.
Once a product candidate receives FDA clearance or approval, the agency has the authority to require the recall of commercialized products in the event of adverse side effects, material deficiencies or defects in design or manufacture. The authority to require a recall must be based on an FDA finding that there is a reasonable probability that the device would cause serious injury or death. Manufacturers may, under their own initiative, recall a product if any material deficiency in a product is found. A government-mandated or voluntary recall by us or one of our distributors could occur as a result of adverse side effects, impurities or other product contamination, manufacturing errors, design or labeling defects or other deficiencies and issues. Recalls of any of our products would divert managerial and financial resources and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. The FDA requires that certain classifications of recalls be reported to FDA within 10 working days after the recall is initiated. Companies are required to maintain certain records of recalls, even if they are not reportable to the FDA. We may initiate voluntary recalls involving our products in the future that we determine do not require notification of the FDA. If the FDA disagrees with our determinations, they could require us to report those actions as recalls. A future recall announcement could harm our reputation with customers and negatively affect our sales. In addition, the FDA could take enforcement action for failing to report the recalls when they were conducted.
Our business depends upon securing and protecting critical intellectual property.
Our commercial success will depend in part on our obtaining and maintaining patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark protection of our technologies in the United States and other jurisdictions, as well as successfully enforcing this intellectual property and defending this intellectual property against third-party challenges. We will only be able to protect our technologies from unauthorized use by third parties to the extent that valid and enforceable intellectual property protection, such as patents or trade secrets law, cover them. In particular, we place considerable emphasis on obtaining patent and trade secret protection for significant new technologies, products and processes. Furthermore, the degree of future protection of our proprietary rights is uncertain because legal means afford only limited protection and may not adequately protect our rights or permit us to gain or keep our competitive advantage. Moreover, the degree of future protection of our proprietary rights is uncertain for product candidates that are currently in the early stages of development because we cannot predict which of these product candidates will ultimately reach the commercial market or whether the commercial versions of these product candidates will incorporate proprietary technologies.
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Our patent position is highly uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions.
Accordingly, we cannot predict the breadth of claims that may be allowed or enforced under our patents or in third-party patents. For example, we or our licensors might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by each of our pending patent applications and issued patents; we or our licensors might not have been the first to file patent applications for these inventions; others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies; it is possible that none of our pending patent applications or the pending patent applications of our licensors will result in issued patents; our issued patents and issued patents of our licensors may not provide a basis for commercially viable technologies, or may not provide us with any competitive advantages, or may be challenged and invalidated by third parties; and, we may not develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable.
As a result, our owned and licensed patents may not be valid and we may not be able to obtain and enforce patents and to maintain trade secret protection for the full commercial extent of our technology. The extent to which we are unable to do so could materially harm our business.
We or our licensors have applied for and will continue to apply for patents for certain products. Such applications may not result in the issuance of any patents, and any patents now held or that may be issued may not provide us with adequate protection from competition. Furthermore, it is possible that patents issued or licensed to us may be challenged successfully. In that event, if we have a preferred competitive position because of such patents, such preferred position would be lost. If we are unable to secure or to continue to maintain a preferred position, we could become subject to competition from the sale of generic products. Failure to receive, inability to protect, or expiration of our patents for medical use, manufacture, conjugation and labeling of Ac-225, the antibodies that we license from third parties, or subsequent related filings, would adversely affect our business and operations.
Patents issued or licensed to us may be infringed by the products or processes of others. The cost of enforcing our patent rights against infringers, if such enforcement is required, could be significant, and the Company does not currently have the financial resources to fund such litigation. Further, such litigation can go on for years and the time demands could interfere with our normal operations. There has been substantial litigation and other proceedings regarding patent and other intellectual property rights in the pharmaceutical industry. We may become a party to patent litigation and other proceedings. The cost to us of any patent litigation, even if resolved in our favor, could be substantial. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation more effectively than we can because of their substantially greater financial resources. Litigation may also absorb significant management time.
Unpatented trade secrets, improvements, confidential know-how and continuing technological innovation are important to our scientific and commercial success. Although we attempt to and will continue to attempt to protect our proprietary information through reliance on trade secret laws and the use of confidentiality agreements with our partners, collaborators, employees and consultants and other appropriate means, these measures may not effectively prevent disclosure of our proprietary information, and, in any event, others may develop independently, or obtain access to, the same or similar information.
Certain of our patent rights are licensed to us by third parties. If we fail to comply with the terms of these license agreements, our rights to those patents may be terminated, and we will be unable to conduct our business.
If we are found to be infringing on patents or trade secrets owned by others, we may be forced to cease or alter our product development efforts, obtain a license to continue the development or sale of our products, and/or pay damages.
Our manufacturing processes and potential products may violate proprietary rights of patents that have been or may be granted to competitors, universities or others, or the trade secrets of those persons and entities. As the pharmaceutical industry expands and more patents are issued, the risk increases that our processes and potential products may give rise to claims that they infringe the patents or trade secrets of others. These other persons could bring legal actions against us claiming damages and seeking to enjoin clinical testing, manufacturing and marketing of the affected product or process. If any of these actions are successful, in addition to any potential liability for damages, we could be required to obtain a license in order to continue to conduct clinical tests, manufacture or market the affected product or use the affected process. Required licenses may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all, and the results of litigation are uncertain. If we become involved in litigation or other proceedings, it could consume a substantial portion of our financial resources and the efforts of our personnel.
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Our ability to protect and enforce our patents does not guaranty that we will secure the right to commercialize our patents.
A patent is a limited monopoly right conferred upon an inventor, and his successors in title, in return for the making and disclosing of a new and non-obvious invention. This monopoly is of limited duration but, while in force, allows the patent holder to prevent others from making and/or using its invention. While a patent gives the holder this right to exclude others, it is not a license to commercialize the invention where other permissions may be required for commercialization to occur. For example, a drug cannot be marketed without the appropriate authorization from the FDA, regardless of the existence of a patent covering the product. Further, the invention, even if patented itself, cannot be commercialized if it infringes the valid patent rights of another party.
We rely on confidentiality agreements to protect our trade secrets. If these agreements are breached by our employees or other parties, our trade secrets may become known to our competitors.
We rely on trade secrets that we seek to protect through confidentiality agreements with our employees and other parties. If these agreements are breached, our competitors may obtain and use our trade secrets to gain a competitive advantage over us. We may not have any remedies against our competitors and any remedies that may be available to us may not be adequate to protect our business or compensate us for the damaging disclosure. In addition, we may have to expend resources to protect our interests from possible infringement by others.
The issued patents, which are licensed by API for the HuM-195 antibody, our acute myeloid leukemia targeting antibody, will begin to expire before we have commercialized Actimab™-A.
The humanized antibody which we use in the conjugated Actimab™-A product candidate is covered by the claims of issued patents that we license from Facet Biotech Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories (“Facet”). Some of those patents will begin to expire in 2013. After these patents expire, others may be eventually able to use an antibody with the same sequence in alpha particle drug products based on alpha particle emitters other than actinium 225 and bismuth 213. Any process that would enable such a competition as described above is likely to require several years of development before achieving our product candidate’s current status and may be subject to significant regulatory hurdles, but is nevertheless a possibility that can affect the Company’s business in the future.
Additionally, because we expect that certain of these patents will expire prior to commercialization of Actimab™-A, API expects that in order to attract a commercialization partner for that product candidate, it will may need to reach an agreement with Facet to reduce the milestone payments and royalties currently required to be paid under our license agreement for HuM-195. There can be no assurance that the parties will be able to agree on an amendment to the terms of the license. Failure to reach such an agreement could materially adversely affect API’s ability to find a commercialization partner for Actimab™-A which may materially harm our business.
The BC8 antibody utilized in Iomab™-B is not patent protected.
The antibody we use in the conjugated Iomab™ product candidate is not covered by the claims of any issued or pending patents. Accordingly, others may be eventually able to use an antibody with the same sequence in alpha particle drug products based on alpha particle emitters. Any process that would enable such a competition as described above is likely to require several years of development before achieving our product candidate’s current status and may be subject to significant regulatory hurdles, but is nevertheless a possibility that could negatively impact the Company’s business in the future.
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We may be unable to obtain a sufficient supply of Ac-225 medical grade isotope in order to continue clinical trials and to allow for the manufacture of commercial quantities of Actimab-A
There are limited quantities of Ac-225 available today. The existing supplier of Ac-225 to the Company is Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). It manufactures Ac-225 by eluting it from its supply of Thorium-229. Although this has proven to be a very reliable source of production for a number of years, it is limited by the quantity of Thorium-229 at ORNL. We believe that the current approximate maximum of Ac-225 production from this source is sufficient for approximately 1,000 - 2,000 patient treatments per year. Since our needs are significantly below that amount at this time, and will continue to be below that for as long as we do not have a commercial product with a potential of selling more than 2,000 patient doses per year, we believe that this supply will be sufficient for completion of clinical trials and early commercialization. To secure supplies beyond this amount, the Company has developed what it believes to be a scalable cost-effective process for manufacturing Ac-225 in a cyclotron at an estimated cost in excess of $5 million. This work has been conducted at Technical University Munich (TUM) in Germany. API is now in possession of detailed descriptions of all the developed manufacturing procedures and has rights to all relevant patent applications and other intellectual property. However, we do not currently have access to a commercial cyclotron capable of producing medical grade Ac-225. Although beam time on such cyclotrons is commercially available, the Company does not currently have a relationship with any entity that owns or controls a suitable cyclotron. It has identified possible sources and estimates that it could secure the necessary beam time when needed at a cost of approximately $2 million per year. The Company’s contract for supply of this isotope from ORNL extends through the end of 2012, is renewable for future years, and has already been renewed for several consecutive years. However, there can be no assurance that ORNL will decide to renew the contract or that the U.S. Department of Energy will not change its policies that allow for the sale of isotope to API. Failure to acquire sufficient quantities of medical grade Ac-225 would make it impossible to effectively complete clinical trials and to commercialize Actimab™-A and would materially harm our business.
We may undertake international operations, which will subject us to risks inherent with operations outside of the United States.
Although we do not have any foreign operations at this time, we intend to seek market clearances in foreign markets that we believe will generate significant opportunities. However, even with the cooperating of a commercialization partner, conducting drug development in foreign countries involves inherent risks, including, but not limited to difficulties in staffing, funding and managing foreign operations; unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; export restrictions; tariffs and other trade barriers; difficulties in protecting, acquiring, enforcing and litigating intellectual property rights; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; and potentially adverse tax consequences.
If we were to experience any of the difficulties listed above, or any other difficulties, any international development activities and our overall financial condition may suffer and cause us to reduce or discontinue our international development and registration efforts.
We may not be successful in hiring and retaining key employees.
Our future operations and successes depend in large part upon the continued service of key members of our senior management team whom we are highly dependent upon to manage our business, in particular Mr. Jack V. Talley, our President and Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Dragan Cicic, our Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer. If any member of our current senior management terminates his or her employment with us, such a departure may have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our future success also depends on our ability to identify, attract, hire or engage, retain and motivate other well-qualified managerial, technical, clinical and regulatory personnel. There can be no assurance that such professionals will be available in the market, or that we will be able to retain existing professionals or meet or continue to meet their compensation requirements. Furthermore, the cost base in relation to such compensation, which may include equity compensation, may increase significantly, which could have a material adverse effect on us. Failure to establish and maintain an effective management team and work force could adversely affect our ability to operate, grow and manage our business.
Managing our growth as we expand operations may strain our resources.
We expect to need to grow rapidly in order to support additional, larger, and potentially international, pivotal clinical trials of our drug candidates, which will place a significant strain on our financial, managerial and operational resources. In order to achieve and manage growth effectively, we must continue to improve and expand our operational and financial management capabilities. Moreover, we will need to increase staffing and to train, motivate and manage our employees. All of these activities will increase our expenses and may require us to raise additional capital sooner than expected. Failure to manage growth effectively could materially harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.
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We may expand our business through the acquisition of rights to new product candidates that could disrupt our business, harm our financial condition and may also dilute current stockholders’ ownership interests in our company.
Our business strategy includes expanding our products and capabilities, and we may seek acquisitions of drug candidates, antibodies or technologies to do so. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including substantial cash expenditures; potentially dilutive issuance of equity securities; incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities, some of which may be difficult or impossible to identify at the time of acquisition; difficulties in assimilating acquired technologies or the operations of the acquired companies; diverting our management’s attention away from other business concerns; risks of entering markets in which we have limited or no direct experience; and the potential loss of our key employees or key employees of the acquired companies.
We can make no assurances that any acquisition will result in short-term or long-term benefits to us. We may incorrectly judge the value or worth of an acquired product, company or business. In addition, our future success would depend in part on our ability to manage the rapid growth associated with some of these acquisitions. We cannot assure that we will be able to make the combination of our business with that of acquired products, businesses or companies work or be successful. Furthermore, the development or expansion of our business or any acquired products, business or companies may require a substantial capital investment by us. We may not have these necessary funds or they might not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. We may also seek to raise funds by selling shares of our preferred or common stock, which could dilute each current stockholder’s ownership interest in the Company.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
Shares of our capital stock are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and there is a lack of liquidity for our securities.
Though our Common Stock is listed on the OTC Bulletin Board (the “OTCBB”), there is little to no market for our Common Stock. Investors may have to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Company for an indefinite period of time. At this time, the offer and sale of our securities will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws. Each purchaser of Common Stock will be required to represent that it is purchasing such stock for its own account for investment purposes and not with a view to resale or distribution. No transfer of Common Stock issued may be made unless such transfer is registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption therefrom is available, which will be noted on a restrictive legend placed on each Common Stock certificate. In connection with any such transfer, we may require the transferor to provide us with an opinion of legal counsel stating that the transfer complies with such securities laws and to pay any costs we incur in connection with such transfer and our review thereof as a precondition to the effectiveness of the transfer. There is no public trading market for the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants and such trading market may never exist.
Resale of our securities is subject to significant restrictions.
Any of our securities that are sold are under exemptions from registration under applicable federal and state securities laws, as none of our securities have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws. Until our securities have been registered, they may not be transferred or resold except in a transaction exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The SEC has broad discretion to determine whether any registration statement will be declared effective and may delay or deny the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by us for a variety of reasons. In the event that the effectiveness of any registration statement relating to resales of the shares of our securities is delayed or denied, or the registration statement, once effective, becomes unavailable for use by selling security holders, the transferability of the shares of Common Stock may be restricted and the value of such securities could be materially adversely affected.
If our ability to register our shares is limited, the ability of holders of our shares to sell them may be subject to substantial restrictions, and you may be required to hold such securities for a period of time prior to sale, in which case you could suffer a substantial loss on such shares.
If our ability to register the resale of shares of our Common Stock is limited, you may not be able to exercise all or some of your Warrants for shares of our Common Stock that are registered for resale. There will be substantial restrictions on your ability to transfer any shares which are not registered for resale, and you may be required to hold the shares you receive upon exercise of your Warrants for some period of time after exercise. During such time, the market price of our Common Stock may fluctuate and you could suffer a substantial or total loss with respect to such shares.
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Because we became public by means of a “reverse merger,” we may not be able to attract the attention of major brokerage firms.
Additional risks may exist since we will become public through a “reverse merger.” Securities analysts of major brokerage firms may not provide coverage of us since there is little incentive to brokerage firms to recommend the purchase of our common stock. We cannot assure you that brokerage firms will want to conduct any secondary offerings on behalf of our company in the future. On December 19, 2012 and in contemplation of the closing of the Share Exchange, Actinium closed on the Minimum Offering Amount selling an aggregate of 9,366,273Units to Investors, pursuant to Subscription Agreements and Unit Purchase Agreements for gross proceeds in the amount of $5,151,450, and net proceeds in the amount of $4,469,776 after legal and other fees and expenses remitted to the Placement Agent. Post the closing of the Share Exchange, the Offering will continue on the same terms on a pro-forma basis with the common shares offered at $1.65 per share, the 120 day warrants exercise price at $1.65 per share and the 5 year warrants exercise price at $2.48 per share.
The sale of securities by us in any equity or debt financing could result in dilution to our existing stockholders and have a material adverse effect on our earnings.
Any sale of common stock by us in a future private placement offering could result in dilution to the existing stockholders as a direct result of our issuance of additional shares of our capital stock. In addition, our business strategy may include expansion through internal growth, by acquiring subscribers email lists, or by establishing strategic relationships with targeted customers and vendor. In order to do so, or to finance the cost of our other activities, we may issue additional equity securities that could dilute our stockholders’ stock ownership. We may also assume additional debt and incur impairment losses related to goodwill and other tangible assets if we acquire another company and this could negatively impact our earnings and results of operations.
Future sales of our common stock in the public market could lower the price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise funds in future securities offerings.
Future sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the then prevailing market price of our common stock and could make it more difficult for us to raise funds in the future through a public offering of our securities.
Our Common Stock is quoted on the OTCBB which may have an unfavorable impact on our stock price and liquidity.
Our common stock is quoted on the OTCBB, which is a significantly more limited trading market than the New York Stock Exchange or The NASDAQ Stock Market. The quotation of the Company’s shares on the OTCBB may result in a less liquid market available for existing and potential stockholders to trade shares of our common stock, could depress the trading price of our common stock and could have a long-term adverse impact on our ability to raise capital in the future.
There is limited liquidity on the OTCBB which may result in stock price volatility and inaccurate quote information.
When fewer shares of a security are being traded on the OTCBB, volatility of prices may increase and price movement may outpace the ability to deliver accurate quote information. Due to lower trading volumes in shares of our common stock, there may be a lower likelihood of one’s orders for shares of our common stock being executed, and current prices may differ significantly from the price one was quoted at the time of one’s order entry.
Our common stock is extremely thinly traded, so you may be unable to sell at or near asking prices or at all if you need to sell your shares to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate your shares.
Currently, the Company’s common stock is quoted in the OTCBB and future trading volume may be limited by the fact that many major institutional investment funds, including mutual funds, as well as individual investors follow a policy of not investing in OTCBB stocks and certain major brokerage firms restrict their brokers from recommending OTCBB stocks because they are considered speculative, volatile and thinly traded. The OTCBB market is an inter-dealer market much less regulated than the major exchanges and our common stock is subject to abuses, volatility and shorting. Thus, there is currently no broadly followed and established trading market for the Company’s common stock. An established trading market may never develop or be maintained. Active trading markets generally result in lower price volatility and more efficient execution of buy and sell orders. Absence of an active trading market reduces the liquidity of the shares traded there.
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The trading volume of our common stock has been and may continue to be extremely limited and sporadic. As a result of such trading activity, the quoted price for the Company’s common stock on the OTCBB may not necessarily be a reliable indicator of its fair market value. Further, if we cease to be quoted, holders would find it more difficult to dispose of our common stock or to obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of the Company’s common stock and as a result, the market value of our common stock likely would decline.
Our Common Stock is subject to price volatility unrelated to our operations.
After the closing of the Share Exchange we expect the market price of our Common Stock to fluctuate substantially due to a variety of factors, including market perception of our ability to achieve our planned growth, quarterly operating results of other companies in the same industry, trading volume in our common stock, changes in general conditions in the economy and the financial markets or other developments affecting the Company’s competitors or the Company itself. In addition, the OTCBB is subject to extreme price and volume fluctuations in general. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market price of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their operating performance and could have the same effect on our common stock.
We are subject to penny stock regulations and restrictions and you may have difficulty selling shares of our common stock.
We are subject to the provisions of Section 15(g) and Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act, commonly referred to as the “penny stock rule.” Section 15(g) sets forth certain requirements for transactions in penny stock, and Rule 15g-9(d) incorporates the definition of “penny stock” that is found in Rule 3a51-1 of the Exchange Act. The SEC generally defines a penny stock to be any equity security that has a market price less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. We will be subject to the SEC’s penny stock rules.
Since our Common Stock is deemed to be penny stock, trading in the shares of our common stock is subject to additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell penny stock to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. “Accredited investors” are persons with assets in excess of $1,000,000 (excluding the value of such person’s primary residence) or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 together with their spouse. For transactions covered by these rules, broker-dealers must make a special suitability determination for the purchase of such security and must have the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to the purchase. Additionally, for any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt the rules require the delivery, prior to the first transaction of a risk disclosure document, prepared by the SEC, relating to the penny stock market. A broker-dealer also must disclose the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, monthly statements must be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stocks held in an account and information to the limited market in penny stocks. Consequently, these rules may restrict the ability of broker-dealer to trade and/or maintain a market in our common stock and may affect the ability of the Company’s stockholders to sell their shares of common stock.
There can be no assurance that our shares of common stock will qualify for exemption from the Penny Stock Rule. In any event, even if our common stock was exempt from the Penny Stock Rule, we would remain subject to Section 15(b)(6) of the Exchange Act, which gives the SEC the authority to restrict any person from participating in a distribution of penny stock if the SEC finds that such a restriction would be in the public interest.
Because we do not intend to pay dividends, stockholders will benefit from an investment in our Common Stock only if it appreciates in value.
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our Preferred Stock or Common Stock. For the foreseeable future, it is expected that earnings, if any, generated from our operations will be used to finance the growth of our business, and that no dividends will be paid to holders of the Company’s Preferred Stock or Common Stock. As a result, the success of an investment in our Preferred Stock or Common Stock will depend upon any future appreciation in its value. There is no guarantee that our Preferred Stock or Common Stock will appreciate in value.
Certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and Nevada law make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us and make a takeover more difficult to complete, even if such a transaction were in the stockholders’ interest.
Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and certain provisions of Nevada State law could have the effect of making it more difficult or more expensive for a third party to acquire, or from discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, control of the Company, even when these attempts may be in the best interests of our stockholders. For example, Nevada law provides that approval of a majority of the stockholders is required to remove a director, which may make it more difficult for a third party to gain control of the Company. This concentration of ownership limits the power to exercise control by the minority shareholders.
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Compliance with the reporting requirements of federal securities laws can be expensive.
When we become a public reporting company in the United States, we will be subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and other federal securities laws, and the compliance obligations of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The costs of preparing and filing annual and quarterly reports and other information with the SEC and furnishing audited reports to stockholders are substantial. In addition, we will incur substantial expenses in connection with the preparation of registration statements and related documents with respect to the registration of resale of the Common Stock.
Applicable regulatory requirements, including those contained in and issued under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, may make it difficult for us to retain or attract qualified officers and directors, which could adversely affect the management of its business and its ability to obtain or retain listing of our Common Stock.
We may be unable to attract and retain those qualified officers, directors and members of board committees required to provide for effective management because of the rules and regulations that govern publicly held companies, including, but not limited to, certifications required by principal executive officers. The enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act has resulted in the issuance of a series of related rules and regulations and the strengthening of existing rules and regulations by the SEC, as well as the adoption of new and more stringent rules by the stock exchanges. The perceived increased personal risk associated with these changes may deter qualified individuals from accepting roles as directors and executive officers.
Further, some of these changes heighten the requirements for board or committee membership, particularly with respect to an individual’s independence from the corporation and level of experience in finance and accounting matters. We may have difficulty attracting and retaining directors with the requisite qualifications. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified officers and directors, the management of our business and our ability to obtain or retain listing of our shares of Common Stock on any stock exchange (assuming we elect to seek and are successful in obtaining such listing) could be adversely affected.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or detect fraud. Investors could lose confidence in our financial reporting and this may decrease the trading price of our Common Stock.
We must maintain effective internal controls to provide reliable financial reports and detect fraud. We have been assessing our internal controls to identify areas that need improvement. Failure to maintain an effective system of internal controls could harm our operating results and cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. Any such loss of confidence would have a negative effect on the trading price of our Common Stock.
The price of our Common Stock may become volatile, which could lead to losses by investors and costly securities litigation.
The trading price of our Common Stock may be highly volatile and could fluctuate in response to factors such as:
● | actual or anticipated variations in our operating results; |
● | announcements of developments by us or our competitors; |
● | the timing of IND and/or NDA approval, the completion and/or results of our clinical trials; |
● | regulatory actions regarding our products; |
● | announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; |
● | adoption of new accounting standards affecting the our industry; |
● | additions or departures of key personnel; |
● | introduction of new products by us or our competitors; |
● | sales of the our Common Stock or other securities in the open market; and |
● | other events or factors, many of which are beyond our control. |
The stock market is subject to significant price and volume fluctuations. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been initiated against such a company. Litigation initiated against us, whether or not successful, could result in substantial costs and diversion of our management’s attention and Company resources, which could harm our business and financial condition.
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The information and financial data discussed below is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Actinium for its fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Actinium for its nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. The consolidated financial statements of Actinium were prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The information and financial data discussed below is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and related notes of Actinium contained elsewhere in this Report. The financial statements contained elsewhere in this Report fully represent Actinium’s financial condition and operations; however, they are not indicative of the Company’s future performance. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” above for a discussion of forward-looking statements and the significance of such statements in the context of this Report.
This discussion contains forward-looking statements reflecting our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere herein.
Overview
We develop drugs for treatment of cancer with intent to cure or significantly improve survival of the affected patients. As of now none of our drugs have been approved for sale in the United States or elsewhere. We have no commercial operations in sales or marketing of our products. All our product candidates are under development. In order to market and sell our products we must conduct clinical trials on patients and obtain regulatory approvals from appropriate regulatory agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and similar agencies elsewhere in the world.
Our products under development are monoclonal antibodies labeled with radioisotopes. We have one program with an antibody labeled with a beta emitter and several programs based on a proprietary patent protected platform technology called alpha particle immunotherapy or APIT. Our APIT technology is based on attaching actinium 225 (Ac-225) or bismuth 213 (Bi-213) alpha emitting radioisotopes to monoclonal antibodies. Alpha emitting radioisotopes are unstable chemical elements that decay by releasing alpha particles. Alpha particles can kill any cell in whose immediate proximity they are released. Monoclonal antibodies are genetically engineered proteins that target specifically certain cells, and can target cancer cells. It is crucial for the success of our drug candidates to contain monoclonal antibodies that can successfully seek cancer cells and can kill them with the attached isotope while not harming nearby normal cells. We do not have technology and operational capabilities to develop and manufacture such monoclonal antibodies and we therefore rely on collaboration with third parties to gain access to such monoclonal antibodies. We have secured rights to two monoclonal antibodies, HuM195 (Lintuzumab), in 2003 through a collaborative licensing agreement with Abbott Laboratories and BC8 in 2012 with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. We expect to negotiate collaborative agreements with other potential partners that would provide us with access to additional monoclonal antibodies. Establishing and maintaining such collaborative agreements is a key to our success as a company.
Under our own sponsorship as well as activity at FHCRC, we have four product candidates in active clinical trials: Actimab™-A (HuM195-Ac-225), Iomab™-B (BC8-I-131), BC8-Y-90 and BC8-SA. At this time, the Company is actively pursuing development of Actimab™-A and Iomab™-B while BC8-Y-90 and BC8-SA are in physician sponsored clinical phase I trials at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Actimab™-A is a combination of the monoclonal antibody we have in-licensed, Lintuzumab (HuM195), and the alpha emitting isotope actinium 225. Actimab™-A has shown promising results throughout preclinical development and an ongoing clinical trial started in 2006 in treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the elderly. We have expanded the number of patients and number of clinical centers by commencing a new AML clinical trial which we have launched in 2012. This trial targets newly diagnosed AML patients over the age of 60. In order to conduct the trial we are engaged in funding, monitoring and quality assurance and control of the Lintuzumab antibody; procurement of actinium 225 isotope; funding, monitoring and quality assurance and control of the drug candidate Actimab™-A manufacturing and organizing and monitoring clinical trials. We estimate that the direct costs to completion of both parts of the ongoing Phase I/II trial will be approximately US $7 million.
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Iomab™-B is a combination of the in-licensed monoclonal antibody BC8 and the beta emitting radioisotope iodine 131. This construct has been extensively tested in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials in approximately 250 patients with different blood cancer indications who were in need of a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Iomab™-B is used to condition the bone marrow of these patients by destroying blood cancer cells in their bone marrow and elsewhere thus allowing for a subsequent transplant containing healthy donor bone marrow stem cells. We have decided to develop this drug candidate by initially focusing on the patients over 50 with active acute myeloid leukemia in relapse and/or refractory to existing treatments. Our intention is to request the FDA in 2013 to allow us to enter into a pivotal trial with Iomab™-B. We estimate the direct costs of such a trial to completion anticipated in 2015 will be approximately US $15-20 million.
We have primarily management position employees and consultants who direct, organize and monitor the activities described above through contractors. Much of the in vivo laboratory and clinical work contracted for by the Company has been conducted at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. The Company has also made clinical trial arrangements with other well known cancer centers.
Our Actimab™-A drug candidate and its components are contract manufactured and maintained under our supervision by specialized contract manufacturers and suppliers in the U.S., including IsoTex Diagnostics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific GMP, Fischer Bioservices, BioReliance and others.
The Company was established in 1993 in the Netherlands under the name of “Alphamedical Holding B.V.” and the Company was subsequently re-incorporated in Delaware in September 2000 as “Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.”.
We are a development stage company and have never generated revenue. Currently we do not have a stable recurring source of revenues sufficient to cover our operating costs. As of December 31, 2011, we had an accumulated deficit of $47.4 million. We incurred net losses of $3.4 million, $0.5 million, $3.4 million, $5.6 million and $5.6 million in the years ending December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Opportunities, Challenges and Risks
The market for drugs for cancer treatment is a large market in need of novel products, in which successful products can command multibillion dollars in annual sales. A number of large pharmaceutical and biotechnology company regularly acquire products in development, with preference given to products in Phase II or later clinical trials. These deals are typically structured to include an upfront payment that ranges from several million dollars to tens of million dollars or more and additional milestone payments tied to regulatory submissions and approvals and sales milestones. Our goal is to develop our product candidates through Phase II clinical trials and enter into partnership agreements with one or more large pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology companies.
We believe our future success will be heavily dependent upon our ability to successfully conduct clinical trials and preclinical development of our drug candidates. This will in turn depend on our ability to continue our collaboration with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and our Clinical Advisory Board members, and to continue and expand other research and clinical trial collaborations. In addition, we will have to maintain sufficient supply of actinium 225 and successfully maintain and if and when needed replenish or obtain our reserves of monoclonal antibodies. We will have to maintain and improve manufacturing procedures we have developed for production of our drug candidates from the components that include the iodine 131 and actinium 225 isotopes, monoclonal antibodies and other materials. It is possible that despite our best efforts our clinical trials results may not meet regulatory requirements for approval. If our efforts are successful, we will be able to partner our development stage products on commercially favorable terms only if they enjoy appropriate patent coverage and/or considerable know-how and other protection that ensures market exclusivity. For that reason we intend to continue our efforts to maintain existing and generate new intellectual property. Intellectual property is a key factor in the success of our business as well as market exclusivity.
To achieve the goals discussed above we intend to continue to invest in research and development at high and constantly increasing rates thus incurring further losses until one or more of our products are sufficiently developed to partner them to large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
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Results of Operations
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, data derived from our statements of operations:
For the Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | ||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | Change | ||||||||||
Revenues | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||
Research and development, net | 2,723,459 | 231,640 | 2,491,819 | |||||||||
General and administrative | 1,520,221 | 376,748 | 1,143,473 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 429 | 477 | (48 | ) | ||||||||
Total operating expenses | 4,244,109 | 608,865 | 3,635,244 | |||||||||
Loss from operations | (4,244,109 | ) | (608,865 | ) | (3,635,244 | ) | ||||||
Other (income) expense: | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | 952,241 | - | 952,241 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities | 287,604 | - | 287,604 | |||||||||
Total other (income) expense | 1,239,845 | - | 1,239,845 | |||||||||
Net loss | $ | (5,483,954 | ) | $ | (608,865 | ) | $ | (4,875,089 | ) |
Revenues
We recorded no commercial revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.
Research and Development Expense
Research and development expenses increased by to $2,491,819 to $2,723,459 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $231,640 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The increase is attributable to the costs incurred on initiation of the multi-center clinical trial for Actimab™-A. The Company also made its first milestone payment of $750,000 to Abbott Biotherapeutics Corp. upon reaching the milestone. The increase also reflected in an agreement the Company made with MSKCC as of April 2010, in which MSKCC agreed to pay or reimburse the Company for certain costs and expenses related to the Company’s drug development and clinical study program. This agreement expired on October 5, 2011. No reimbursement was due for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and $966,341 was due with respect to the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
General and Administrative Expenses
Overall, total general and administrative expenses increased by $1,143,473 to $1,520,221 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $376,748 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The increase was largely attributable to increases in professional fees and the stock-based compensation incurred by the Company as discussed below.
In connection with the offering of the Series E Preferred Stock, in January 2012, we issued warrants to purchase 400,013 shares (pre-Actinium Share exchange) of common stock to the transaction manager for consulting services related to assisting the Company in preparing to become a publicly traded company. The fair value of $144,501, or $0.36 per share, was a noncash charge to general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
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In February 2012, the Company granted options to purchase 2,125,000 shares of common stock to its employees and consultants with a fair value of $531,913. In July 2012, the Company granted options to purchase 90,000 shares of common stock to its consultants with a fair value of $23,700. In August 2012, the Company granted options to purchase 2,875,000 shares of common stock to its employees and consultants with a fair value of $724,784. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recorded amortization of stock-based compensation of $312,500 as a noncash charge to general and administrative expenses.
The increase can also be attributed to additional professional fees of $555,782 related to the year-end audit, the quarterly review, legal fees, and management fees associated with the Company going public. In addition to the professional fees incurred, we increased our personnel. As such, payroll-related expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased compared to the same period in 2011.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased by $952,241 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The increase in interest expense is directly attributable to interest accrued on the convertible debt, amortization of the convertible debt discount and deferred financing costs related to the convertible debt.
Net Loss
Net loss increased by $4,875,089 to $5,483,954 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared $608,865 for to the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The increase was primarily due to additional costs incurred by the Company in research and development expenses, noncash stock-based compensation costs and professional fees as discussed above.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, data derived from our statements of operations:
For the Years Ended | ||||||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | Change | ||||||||||
Revenues | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||
Research and development, net | 323,788 | 93,117 | 230,671 | |||||||||
General and administrative | 2,959,246 | 561,970 | 2,397,276 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 633 | 72,101 | (71,468 | ) | ||||||||
Total operating expenses | 3,283,667 | 727,188 | 2,556,479 | |||||||||
Loss from operations | (3,283,667 | ) | (727,188 | ) | (2,556,479 | ) | ||||||
Other (income) expense: | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | 175,094 | 78 | 175,016 | |||||||||
Gain on extinguishment of liabilities | - | (260,000 | ) | 260,000 | ||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities | (13,966 | ) | - | (13,966 | ) | |||||||
Total other (income) expense | 161,128 | (259,922 | ) | 421,050 | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (3,444,795 | ) | $ | (467,266 | ) | $ | (2,977,529 | ) |
Revenues
We recorded no commercial revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
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Research and Development Expense
Research and development expenses increased by $230,671 to $323,788 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $93,117 for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase is directly attributable to the initiation of the multi-center trial for Actimab™-A.
General and Administrative Expenses
Overall, general and administrative expenses increased by $2,397,276 to $2,959,246 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $561,970 for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase was largely attributable to increases in professional fees and the stock-based compensation incurred by the Company as discussed below.
In connection with the offering of the Series E Preferred Stock, we issued warrants to purchase 930,272 shares (pre-Actinium share exchange) of common stock to the transaction manager for consulting services related to preparing the Company to become a publically traded company. The fair value of $2,153,442, was a noncash charge to general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2011.
The increase can also be attributed to additional professional fees of $121,774 related to the management fees incurred associated with the Company going public.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $175,094 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $78 for the same period of 2010, an increase of $175,016. The increase in interest expense is directly attributable to interest accrued on the convertible debt, amortization of the convertible debt discount and deferred financing costs related to the convertible debt.
Net Loss
Net loss increased by $2,977,529 to $3,444,795 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $467,266 for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase was primarily due to additional costs incurred by the Company in research and development expenses, noncash stock-based compensation costs and professional fees as discussed above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have financed our operations primarily through sales of the Company’s Common Stock and Preferred Stock and the issuance of Convertible Promissory Notes.
We did not have any cash or cash equivalents held in financial institutions located outside of the United States as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. We do not anticipate this practice will change in the future.
The following tables sets forth selected cash flow information for the periods indicated:
For the Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
September 30, | ||||||||
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | (3,795,480 | ) | $ | 31,215 | |||
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (1,812 | ) | - | |||||
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 660,163 | - | ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash | $ | (3,137,129 | ) | $ | 31,215 |
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For the Years Ended | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | (517,592 | ) | $ | (609,740 | ) | ||
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | - | - | ||||||
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 6,025,255 | - | ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash | $ | 5,507,663 | $ | (609,740 | ) |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2012 were $2,566,669.
Net cash used in operating activities was $3,795,480 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $31,215 provided by operations for the same period in 2011. Cash used in operations increased due to the increase in spending related to preparations and eventual launch and conduct of a multicenter trial and an increase in spending related to professional fees combined with an increase in payroll-related expenses. Cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 came from the R&D reimbursements received by the Company under the agreement with MSKCC.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $660,163 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $0 for the same period in 2011. In January 2012, we sold 2,909,187 shares of Series E Preferred Stock at $0.26 per share. We raised funds through sale of the Company’s preferred stock to finance the expansion of our research and development efforts.
Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010
Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2011 were $5,703,798 compared to $196,135 as of December 31, 2010. The increase in cash was mainly due to proceeds from sale of Series E Preferred Stock, net of offering costs and 8% Senior Subordinated Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes.
Net cash used in operating activities was $517,592 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $609,740 for the year ended December 31, 2010. Cash used in the operation activities is primarily the result of the costs the Company incurred on research and development activities, net of reimbursements received from MSKCC.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $6,025,255 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2010. In 2011, we sold 23,697,119 shares of Series E Preferred Stock at $0.26 per share and raised $750,000 through a private offering of 8% Senior Subordinated Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes. We raised funds through sale of the Company’s preferred stock and the convertible notes in order to finance the expansion of our research and development activities and the costs associated the preparation for becoming a publicly traded company.
We have experienced cumulative losses of approximately $52,672,612 from inception (September 13, 2000) through September 30, 2012, and have a stockholders' deficit of $3,820,812. In addition, the Company has not completed its efforts to establish a stable recurring source of revenues sufficient to cover its operating costs for the next twelve months. These factors raise substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Recent Debt and Equity Offerings
During 2011, the Company raised $6,184,967 through an offering of 23,697,119 shares (pre-Actinium share exchange) of the 2011 Series E preferred shares and 5,924,285 warrants (pre-Actinium share exchange). A net amount of $5,379,367 was received by the Company in 2011. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company paid Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd. (“Laidlaw & Co.”), the placement agent, total cash fees of $742,196, which consisted of placement agent commission of $618,497 and expense reimbursement of $123,699. In addition, the Company paid Laidlaw & Co.’s outside counsel, McCormick & O’Brien PLLC, $60,904 for its services as the placement agent’s legal counsel and Signature Bank $2,500 for the bank escrow fee.
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On December 27, 2011, the Company completed a private offering of 8% Senior Subordinated Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes (“Convertible Notes”) in the amount of $900,000 and received net proceeds of $750,000. The convertible notes were issued at 83.33% of the principal amount resulting in an original issue discount of $150,000.The Convertible Notes mature one year from the date of issuance. Interest accrues at the rate of 8% per year on the outstanding principal amount, accrued semi-annually and to be paid at maturity.
In January 2012, the Company raised $759,300 through its final offering of the 2011 Series E preferred shares. A net amount of $660,163 was received by the Company. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company paid Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd. (“Laidlaw & Co.”), the placement agent, total cash fees of $99,137, which consisted of placement agent commission of $91,116 and expense reimbursement of $8,021.
Actinium intends to increase funds available to continue our research and development efforts, which include material supply, manufacturing, clinical development and pre-clinical trials and working capital. In 2013, we expect cash needs of up to $20,000,000 to finance research and development, which include material supply, manufacturing, clinical trials and pre-clinical trials and to cover our ongoing working capital needs. If all of the securities offered hereunder are sold, we believe that the net proceeds from this offering will provide us with the capital needed for these plans.
In the event we do not meet our cash needs of $20,000,000, it may be necessary for us to delay the timing of various product development efforts and focus on our ongoing clinical trial with Actimab™-A.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
Seasonality
We do not have a seasonal business cycle. Our revenues and operating results are generally derived evenly throughout the calendar year.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. To prepare these financial statements, we must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. These estimates also affect our expenses. Judgments must also be made about the disclosure of contingent liabilities. Actual results could be significantly different from these estimates. We believe that the following discussion addresses the accounting policies that are necessary to understand and evaluate our reported financial results.
Derivatives
All derivatives are recorded at fair value and recorded on the balance sheet. Fair values for securities traded in the open market and derivatives are based on quoted market prices. Where market prices are not readily available, fair values are determined using market based pricing models incorporating readily observable market data and requiring judgment and estimates.
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Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants. A fair value hierarchy has been established for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:
● | Level 1 Inputs – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. |
● | Level 2 Inputs – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means. |
● | Level 3 Inputs – Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect an entity's own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities. |
Income Taxes
The Company uses the asset and liability method in accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and income tax carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company reviews deferred tax assets for a valuation allowance based upon whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be fully realized. A valuation allowance, if necessary, is provided against deferred tax assets, based upon management’s assessment as to their realization.
Grant Proceeds
The Company received a grant on qualified therapeutic discovery project from the U.S Internal Revenue Service pursuant to the Protection and Affordable Care Credit. The grant was recorded by the Company as a reduction of R&D costs.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Share-Based Payments
The Company estimates the fair value of each stock option award at the grant date by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and common shares based on the last common stock valuation done by third party valuation expert of the Company’s common stock on the date of the share grant. The fair value determined represents the cost for the award and is recognized over the vesting period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. As share-based compensation expense is recognized based on awards ultimately expected to vest, the Company reduces the expense for estimated forfeitures based on historical forfeiture rates. Previously recognized compensation costs may be adjusted to reflect the actual forfeiture rate for the entire award at the end of the vesting period. Excess tax benefits, if any, are recognized as an addition to paid-in capital.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) provided amendments to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The amendments provide clarification and/or additional requirements relating to the following: (a) application of the highest and best use and valuation premise concepts, (b) measurement of the fair value of instruments classified in an entity’s shareholders’ equity, (c) measurement of the fair value of financial instruments that are managed within a portfolio, (d) application of premiums and discounts in a fair value measurement, and (e) disclosures about fair value measurements. These amendments will be effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of the amendments to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
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In September 2011, the FASB provided amendments requiring an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a singular continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but continuous statements, eliminating the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. Additionally, the amendments require an entity to present reclassification adjustments on the face of the financial statements from other comprehensive income to net income. These amendments will be effective retrospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of the amendments to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, but will require the Company to present the statements of comprehensive income separately from its statements of equity, as these are currently presented on a combined basis.
In December 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance to ASC 210, “Balance Sheet”, with respect to disclosure of offsetting assets and liabilities as part of the effort to establish common requirements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This amended guidance requires the disclosure of both gross information and net information about both financial statements and derivative instruments eligible for offset in the Company’s balance sheet and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangements. This guidance is effective for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2012, with respective disclosures required retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The adoption of this guidance effective January 1, 2012 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
There were various accounting standards and interpretations issued during 2012 and 2011, none of which are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, operations or cash flows.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
The Company does not own any property. The Company has a short-term lease of its office space at 501 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10017 through January 31, 2013. Thereafter, it becomes a month to month agreement. The Company pays $4,376 monthly.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table shows the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock as of December 28, 2012 held by (i) each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of our Common and Preferred Stock; (ii) each director; (iii) each executive officer; and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and generally includes voting power and/or investment power with respect to the securities held. Shares of Common Stock subject to options and warrants currently exercisable or which may become exercisable within 60 days of December 28, 2012, are deemed outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding such options or warrants for purposes of computing the number of shares and percentage beneficially owned by such person, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage beneficially owned by any other person. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, the persons or entities named have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
The percentages below are based on fully diluted shares of our Common Stock equivalents, assuming a 100% share exchange by Actinium shareholders, as of December 28, 2012. Unless otherwise indicated, the principal address of each of the persons below is c/o Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 501 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017.
Executive Officers and Directors | Number of Shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Ownership(a) | ||||||
Jack V. Talley | 0 | (1) | 0.0 | % | ||||
Dragan Cicic, MD | 163,037 | (2) | 0.8 | % | ||||
Enza Guagenti | 2,248 | (3) | 0.0 | % | ||||
Rosemary Mazanet | 48,285 | (4) | 0.2 | % | ||||
David Nicholson | 3,996 | (5) | 0.0 | % | ||||
Sandesh Seth | 164,365 | (6) | 0.8 | % | ||||
Sergio Traversa | 0 | (7) | 0.0 | % | ||||
All Directors and Officers as a Group (7 persons) | 381,931 | 1.8 | % | |||||
All other 5% holders | ||||||||
Actinium Holdings, Ltd. (8) c/o Michael B. Sheffery 767 Third Avenue 30th Floor New York, NY 10017 | 5,697,504 | 21.4 | % |
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(a) | Based on 21,262,367 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 20, 2012. |
(1) Options granted to purchase an aggregate of 699,300 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.784 per share. All shares are subject to vesting. No shares of Common Stock have vested as of December 20, 2012.
(2) Options granted to purchase an aggregate of 414,785 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.784 per share and options to purchase an aggregate of 99,900 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. All shares are subject to vesting. 163,037 shares of Common Stock have vested as of December 20, 2012.
(3) Options granted to purchase an aggregate of 33,300 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.784 per share. All shares are subject to vesting. 2,248 shares of Common Stock have vested as of December 20, 2012.
(4) Options granted to purchase an aggregate of 83,250 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.784 per share and options to purchase an aggregate of 49,950 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. All shares are subject to vesting. 48,285 shares of Common Stock have vested as of December 20, 2012.
(5) Options to purchase an aggregate of 49,950 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.784 per share and options to purchase an aggregate of 49,950 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. All shares are subject to vesting. 3,996 shares of Common Stock have vested as of December 20, 2012.
(6) Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 64,747 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.784 per share, exercisable on a cashless basis and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 99,618 of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.784 per share, exercisable on a cashless basis issued to Amrosan, LLC, a partnership in which the majority member interest is owned by the family of Mr. Seth. Excludes warrants to purchase an aggregate of 373,442 shares of Common Stock of the Company at par value per share, exercisable on a cashless basis issued to Amrosan, LLC as the warrants are not exercisable upon less than 90 days notice. The holder may waive the 90 day exercise notice requirement by giving 65 days prior notice of such waiver. The shares available by exercise of this Warrant are also restricted and may not be sold or otherwise transferred until the earlier of twelve months from the closing date of the going public transaction; or for six months after the planned Registration Statement is declared effective. Excludes 351,035 warrants issued to Carnegie Hill Asset Partners and irrevocable trust linked to Mr. Seth’s family whose terms are the same as those issued to Amrosan, LLC. Also excludes warrants held by the Placement Agent or its affiliates in connection with the Offering, the Bridge Notes Financing, the Series E financing and by designees of Jamess Capital Group, LLC in connection with the going public transaction. Also excludes options to purchase an aggregate of 49,950 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. All shares are subject to vesting. No shares of Common Stock have vested as of December 20, 2012.
(7) Options to purchase an aggregate of 49,950 shares of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. No shares of Common Stock have vested as of December 20, 2012.
(8) Mr. Sheffery, a partner of Orbimed Advisors LLC, is the President and director of Actinium Holdings Ltd. (AHL). AHL is wholly-owned by AHLB Holdings, LLC (AHLB), which is, in turn, wholly-owned by MSKCC. Accordingly, such parties may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the Common Stock of the Company held by AHL. Investment power with respect to the shares of the Company held by AHL is limited by AHL’s agreement, on December 31, 2012, not to transfer shares of Common Stock held by AHL, subject to exceptions for certain related-party transfers, transfers to trusts and other private transfers, until, in general, the earlier of (i) twelve (12) months from the Closing Date; or (ii) six (6) months following the effective date of the Registration Statement; however, the AHL “lock-up” agreement has not been finalized as of the date of this filing. AHL has certain registration rights with respect to its shares; however, such rights are, in certain respects subordinate to those of investors in certain recent private placements.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Effective following the expiration of the ten day period following the mailing of the information statement required by Rule 14f-1 under the Exchange Act Diane S. Button has resigned from her position as member of the Board of Directors of the Company. Effective upon the closing of the Share Exchange, Diane S. Button resigned as an officer of the Company. Also effective upon the closing of the Share Exchange, Jack V. Talley was appointed to our Board of Directors. Effective as of the expiration of the ten day period following the mailing of the information statement required by Rule 14f-1 under the Exchange Act Dr. Rosemary Mazanet, David Nicholson, Sandesh Seth and Sergio Traversa were appointed to our Board of Directors. In addition, our Board of Directors appointed Jack V. Talley to serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer, Dragan Cicic to serve as our Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer, and Enza Guagenti to serve as our Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately upon the closing of the Share Exchange.
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The following sets forth information about our directors and executive officers as of the closing of the Share Exchange and following the expiration of the ten day period following the mailing of the information statement required by Rule 14f-1 under the Exchange Act:
Name | Age | Position | ||
Jack V. Talley | 56 | Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director | ||
Dragan Cicic, MD | 49 | Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer | ||
Enza Guagenti, CPA | 50 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
Rosemary Mazanet, MD, PhD | 57 | Director | ||
David Nicholson, PhD | 58 | Director | ||
Sandesh Seth, MS, MBA | 48 | Director | ||
Sergio Traversa, MBA | 52 | Director |
Jack V. Talley, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
Jack V. Talley is the CEO, President and a Director of Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (API). Mr. Talley recently joined API from the position of President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director at EpiCept Corporation. Mr. Talley has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Prior to EpiCept, Mr. Talley was the Chief Executive Officer of Consensus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology drug discovery start-up company that developed a proprietary peptide-based combinatorial library screening process. Prior to joining Consensus, Mr. Talley led Penwest Ltd.’s efforts in its spin-off of its subsidiary Penwest Pharmaceuticals Co. in 1998 and served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Penwest Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Talley started his career at Sterling Drug Inc., where he was responsible for all U.S. marketing activities for prescription drugs, helped launch various new pharmaceutical products and participated in the 1988 acquisition of Sterling Drug by Eastman Kodak Co. Mr. Talley received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Connecticut and completed coursework towards an M.B.A. in Marketing from New York University, Graduate School of Business.
Dragan Cicic, MD, MBA, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer
Dragan Cicic is the COO and CMO of Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (API). He joined the company in 2005 and previously held the position of the CEO and prior to that of the Medical Director at API. Dr. Cicic joined API from the position of Project Director of QED Technologies Inc., a life sciences strategic consulting and transactional group focused on emerging biotech, pharmaceuticals and medical devices companies. Dr. Cicic prepared business and strategic plans on behalf of those clients and assisted them in raising funding. He also represented corporate and private investors in identifying acquisition and/or investment targets and negotiating, structuring and consummating deals. Prior to joining QED Technologies, Dr. Cicic was an investment banker with SG Cowen Securities.
Dr. Cicic graduated as a Medical Doctor from the School of Medicine at The Belgrade University, and received his MBA from Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania. He was also a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University.
Enza Guagenti, CPA, Chief Financial Officer
Enza Guagenti, CPA, is the CFO of Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (API). Ms. Guagenti has over 25 years of experience in health care management and accounting. Prior to becoming the CFO, Ms. Guagenti worked for API as the corporate accounting consultant for eight years. Ms. Guagenti held a senior management level position as Administrator for of an out-patient medical facility that services approximately 8,000 patients per year. She was responsible for all aspects of operations, which included financial oversight and reporting and maintaining regulatory compliance as mandated by CMS, NJDHSS and The Joint Commission. Ms. Guagenti implemented a financial reporting structure, financial and clinical benchmarks and processes that enhanced operations, controlled costs and improved patient care. Prior experience also includes serving as corporate controller for one of the largest infertility practices in NJ. As corporate controller, she was responsible for reporting on and consolidating four profit centers.
Ms. Guagenti served as President of the NJ Association of Ambulatory Surgery Center from 2003-2008. She has served on the Legal & Regulatory Committee of Governor Corzine’s Commission on Rationing of Healthcare Resources, 2008, and has served on various committees at the NJDHSS.
Ms. Guagenti received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Bloomfield College and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the state of NJ.
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Rosemary Mazanet MD, PhD, Director
Rosemary Mazanet is a Director of the Company and a life sciences investment professional and executive with management and drug development experience. She is a Co-Founder and CSO of Apelles Investment Management, LLC, a public and private equity investment firm, focused on healthcare and the CEO of Diabetes America, Inc., the premier network of diabetes care and management centers. Prior to that, Dr. Mazanet was a General Partner, Director of Research and CSO of Oracle Partners, LP, a $1 Billion healthcare hedge fund. Dr. Mazanet has also been the CEO of several life sciences companies, including Breakthrough Therapeutics LLC and Access Pharmaceuticals (OTC: ACCP). She started her career in business as a Sr. Director of Clinical Research with Amgen, Inc.
In addition, Dr. Mazanet is a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine/Hospital and a director with and Cellumen, Inc. She trained in internal medicine at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and in oncology at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, both part of the Harvard Medical system, where she was a staff physician prior to joining Amgen. Dr. Mazanet holds a B.A. in Biology from the University of Virginia and an M.D. and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.
C. David Nicholson, BS, PhD, Director
C. David Nicholson is a Director of the Company and joined the Executive Committee of Bayer CropScience on March 5, 2012 as Head of Research & Development responsible for the integration of the company’s R&D activities into one global organization. Dr. Nicholson graduated in pharmacology, earning his B.Sc. from the University of Manchester (1975) and his Ph.D. from the University of Wales (1980). Between 1978 and 1988, Dr. Nicholson worked in the pharmaceutical industry for the British company Beecham-Wülfing in Gronau, Germany. The main emphasis of his activities as group leader in a multidisciplinary project group was the development of cardiovascular drugs.
From 1988-2007, Dr, Nicholson held various positions of increasing seniority in the UK, the Netherlands and the USA with Organon a Business Unit of Akzo Nobel. Ultimately he became Executive Vice President, Research & Development, and member of the Organon Executive Management Committee. He implemented change programs, leading to maximizing effectiveness in research & development, ensuring customer focus and the establishment of a competitive pipeline of innovative drugs. In 2007, Dr. Nicholson transferred to Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA, as Senior Vice President, responsible for Global Project Management and Drug Safety. From 2009 to December 2011, he was Vice President Licensing and Knowledge Management at Merck in Rahway, New Jersey, USA, reporting to the President of Merck R&D. As an integration team member, David Nicholson played a role in the strategic mergers of Organon BioSciences, the human and animal health business of Dutch chemical giant Akzo-Nobel, and Schering-Plough in 2007 as well as of Schering-Plough and Merck in 2009. C. David Nicholson is presently on the Board of multiple biotechnology companies, including Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Sandesh Seth, MS, MBA, Director
Mr. Sandesh Seth is a Director of the Company and the Head of Healthcare Investment Banking at Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd. Mr. Seth has over 20 years of experience which includes investment banking at Cowen & Co., equity research at Bear Stearns and Commonwealth Associates and in the pharmaceutical industry at Pfizer, Warner-Lambert, and SmithKline Beecham in strategic planning, business development and R&D project management respectively. Mr. Seth’s financial services experience includes 75+ completed transactions in which $5 billion+ in capital was raised. Transactions included venture investments, private placements, IPOs, FOs, PIPEs, Convertible and High-Yield Debt. Mr. Seth was also involved with various strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, leveraged and management buy-outs, and licensing and joint ventures, including the $100 billion merger of Pfizer and Warner-Lambert and the $20 billion merger of Pharmacia & Upjohn with Monsanto. Mr. Seth has an MBA in Finance from New York University; an M.S. in the Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Oklahoma Health Center and a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Bombay University. He has published several scientific articles and was awarded the University Regents Award for Research Excellence at the University of Oklahoma. Mr. Seth was designated as Regulatory Affairs Certified (R.A.C.) by the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society which signifies proficiency with U.S. FDA regulations. He also holds the following Securities Industry Licenses: Series 7, 79 and 63.
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Sergio Traversa, PharmD, MBA, Director
Mr. Traversa is a Director of the Company and the Chief Executive Officer of Relmada Therapeutics Inc. Previously, he was the co-founder and CEO of Medeor Inc. a spinoff pharmaceutical company from Cornell University. Dr. Traversa has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare sector in the United States and Europe, ranging from management positions in the pharmaceutical industry to investing and strategic advisory roles. He has held financial analyst, portfolio management and strategic advisory positions at large U.S. investment firms specializing in healthcare, including Mehta and Isaly and Mehta partners, ING Barings, Merlin BioMed and Rx Capital. Dr. Traversa was a founding partner of Ardana Capital, a pharmaceutical and biotechnology investment advisory firm. In Europe, he held the position of Area Manager for Southern Europe (Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal) of Therakos Inc., a cancer and immunology division of Johnson & Johnson. Prior to Therakos, Dr. Traversa was at Eli Lilly, where he served as Marketing Manager of the Hospital Business Unit. He was also a member of the CNS team at Eli Lilly, where he participated in the launch of Prozac and the early development of Zyprexa and Cymbalta. Dr. Traversa started his career as a sales representative at Farmitalia Carlo Erba, the largest pharmaceutical company in Italy later sold to Pharmacia and now part of Pfizer. Dr. Traversa holds a Laurea degree in Pharmacy from the University of Turin (Italy) and an MBA in Finance and International Business from the New York University Leonard Stern School of Business.
Corporate Governance
The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), which following the expiration of the ten day period following the mailing of the information statement required by Rule 14f-1 under the Exchange Act, will be comprised of Jack V. Talley, Rosemary Mazanet, MD, PhD, David Nicholson, PhD, Sandesh Seth, MS, MBA, and Sergio Traversa, MBA.
Term of Office
Directors are appointed for a one-year term to hold office until the next annual general meeting of stockholders or until removed from office in accordance with our bylaws. Our officers are appointed by our Board and hold office until removed by our Board.
All officers and directors listed above will remain in office until the next annual meeting of our stockholders, and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Our bylaws provide that officers are appointed annually by our Board and each executive officer serves at the discretion of our Board.
Director Independence
We use the definition of “independence” of The NASDAQ Stock Market to make this determination. NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) provides that an “independent director” is a person other than an officer or employee of the company or any other individual having a relationship which, in the opinion of the Company’s Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The NASDAQ listing rules provide that a director cannot be considered independent if:
● | the director is, or at any time during the past three years was, an employee of the company; |
● | the director or a family member of the director accepted any compensation from the company in excess of $120,000 during any period of 12 consecutive months within the three years preceding the independence determination (subject to certain exclusions, including, among other things, compensation for board or board committee service); |
● | a family member of the director is, or at any time during the past three years was, an executive officer of the company; |
● | the director or a family member of the director is a partner in, controlling stockholder of, or an executive officer of an entity to which the company made, or from which the company received, payments in the current or any of the past three fiscal years that exceed 5% of the recipient’s consolidated gross revenue for that year or $200,000, whichever is greater (subject to certain exclusions); |
● | the director or a family member of the director is employed as an executive officer of an entity where, at any time during the past three years, any of the executive officers of the company served on the compensation committee of such other entity; or |
● | the director or a family member of the director is a current partner of the company’s outside auditor, or at any time during the past three years was a partner or employee of the company’s outside auditor, and who worked on the company’s audit. |
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Our Common Stock is not currently quoted or listed on any national exchange or interdealer quotation system with a requirement that a majority of our board of directors be independent and, therefore, the Company is not subject to any director independence requirements. Under the following three NASDAQ director independence rules a director is not considered independent: (a) NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2)(A), a director is not considered to be independent if he or she also is an executive officer or employee of the corporation, (b) NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2)(B), a director is not consider independent if he or she accepted any compensation from the company in excess of $120,000 during any period of twelve consecutive months within the three years preceding the determination of independence, and (c) NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2)(D), a director is not considered to be independent if he or she is a partner in, or a controlling shareholder or an executive officer of, any organization to which the company made, or from which the company received, payments for property or services in the current or any of the past three fiscal years that exceed 5% of the recipient's consolidated gross revenues for that year, or $200,000. Under such definitions, David Nicholson and Sergio Traversa are the only independent directors.
Committees of the Board of Directors
On December 28, 2012, our board of directors formed two standing committees: audit and compensation, . Actions taken by our committees are reported to the full board. Each of our committees has a charter and each charter is posted on our website.
Audit Committee | Compensation of Committee |
David Nicholson* | David Nicholson* |
Sergio Traversa | Dr. Rosemary Mazanet |
Dr. Rosemary Mazanet | Sandesh Seth |
* Indicates committee chair
Our audit committee, which currently consists of three directors, provides assistance to our board in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations with respect to matters involving the accounting, financial reporting, internal control and compliance functions of the company. Our audit committee employs an independent registered public accounting firm to audit the financial statements of the company and perform other assigned duties. Further, our audit committee provides general oversight with respect to the accounting principles employed in financial reporting and the adequacy of our internal controls. In discharging its responsibilities, our audit committee may rely on the reports, findings and representations of the company’s auditors, legal counsel, and responsible officers. Our board has determined that all members of the audit committee are financially literate within the meaning of SEC rules and under the current listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market. Our board has also determined that Mr. Nicholson qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.”
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee, which currently consists of three directors, establishes executive compensation policies consistent with the company’s objectives and stockholder interests. Our compensation committee also reviews the performance of our executive officers and establishes, adjusts and awards compensation, including incentive-based compensation, as more fully discussed below. In addition, our compensation committee generally is responsible for:
● | establishing and periodically reviewing our compensation philosophy and the adequacy of compensation plans and programs for our directors, executive officers and other employees; |
● | overseeing our compensation plans, including the establishment of performance goals under the company’s incentive compensation arrangements and the review of performance against those goals in determining incentive award payouts; |
● | overseeing our executive employment contracts, special retirement benefits, severance, change in control arrangements and/or similar plans; |
● | acting as administrator of any company stock option plans; and |
● | overseeing the outside consultant, if any, engaged by the compensation committee. |
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Our compensation committee periodically reviews the compensation paid to our non-employee directors and the principles upon which their compensation is determined. The compensation committee also periodically reports to the board on how our non-employee director compensation practices compare with those of other similarly situated public corporations and, if the compensation committee deems it appropriate, recommends changes to our director compensation practices to our board for approval.
Outside consulting firms retained by our compensation committee and management also will, if requested, provide assistance to the compensation committee in making its compensation-related decisions.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among any of our officers or directors.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
To our knowledge, none of our current directors or executive officers has, during the past ten years:
● | been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses); | |
● | had any bankruptcy petition filed by or against the business or property of the person, or of any partnership, corporation or business association of which he was a general partner or executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two years prior to that time; | |
● | been subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction or federal or state authority, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting, his involvement in any type of business, securities, futures, commodities, investment, banking, savings and loan, or insurance activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity; | |
● | been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated; | |
● | been the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated (not including any settlement of a civil proceeding among private litigants), relating to an alleged violation of any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or | |
● | been the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member. |
Except as set forth in our discussion below in “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,” none of our directors or executive officers has been involved in any transactions with us or any of our directors, executive officers, affiliates or associates which are required to be disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a code of ethics, a copy of which is attached hereto at Exhibit 14.1.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table provides information regarding the compensation earned during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and expected to be earned for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 by our Chief Executive Officer and the two next most highly compensated executive officers.
Name/Position | Year | Salary | Bonus | Option Awards | Other Compensation | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
Jack Talley, CEO | 2012 2011 2010 | $ | 250,000 0.00 0.00 | $ | 0.00 0.00 0.00 | $ | 58,412 0.00 0.00 | $ | 0.00 0.00 0.00 | $ | 308,412 0.00 0.00 | |||||||||||||
Dragan Cicic, COO | 2012 2011 2010 | $ | 190,658 190,658 190,658 | $ | 0.00 50,000 0.00 | $ | 58,426 9,717 9,717 | $ | 0.00 0.00 0.00 | $ | 249,084 250,375 200,375 | |||||||||||||
Enza Guagenti, CFO | 2012 2011 2010 | $ | 90,000 0.00 0.00 | $ | 0.00 0.00 0.00 | $ | 3,394 0.00 0.00 | $ | 0.00 0.00 0.00 | $ | 93,394 0.00 0.00 |
Under the terms of Dr. Cicic’s employment contract and the agreed upon written terms of employment for Mr. Talley and Ms Guagenti, these employees are entitled to receive severance of twelve months, twelve months and three months base salary, respectively, upon termination by the Company without cause, or upon resignation within thirty days after a change in job responsibilities and a reduction in base salary.
Director Compensation
Historical non-management Directors of the Company do not receive any cash compensation. Commencing October 1, 2012, non-management Directors of the Company will receive a quarterly cash retainer of $7,500 per calendar quarter for their service on the Board of Directors. They also receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses and certain directors have received stock option grants for shares of Company Common Stock as described in the beneficial ownership table in the section titled “SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.”
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table
At December 31, 2011, Cactus had no outstanding equity awards.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS,
AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Related Party Transactions
On January 18, 2001, API entered in a Clinical Trial Agreement with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and Sloan-Kettering Institute of Cancer Research (SKI), an entity related to MSKCC. Through an indirect subsidiary, Actinium Holdings Ltd. (AHL), MSKCC has been a principal stockholder of the Company since April 2010. The agreement provided for the conduct by SKI/MSKCC of Phase I/II clinical trials of the use of 213Bi-Hu195and cytarabine for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and for API’s partial sponsorship of the study in exchange for access to data resulting from the study. API was obligated to pay SKI (a) $10,000 for each completed case report on a completed subject, and (b) $2,500 for each case report on an incomplete subject. The trial enrolled 31 patients, was completed in 2007 and all the money due to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and Sloan-Kettering Institute of Cancer Research (“SKI”) were paid in full.
On February 11, 2002, API entered in a License, Development and Commercialization Agreement with SKI. The agreement was amended in August 2006. Pursuant to the agreement, API licenses certain intellectual property from SKI, including critical patents with respect to API’s core technology, and also supports ongoing research and clinical development of API related drug candidates. Certain amounts due under this agreement were deferred and then forgiven under the forbearance-related arrangements described below. On June 19, 2011, API nonetheless agreed to pay SKI (a) $50,000 in 2011, (b) $200,000 in 2012 and (c) $250,000 in 2013 under this agreement, in respect of the $50,000 annual maintenance fees and research payments. Since January 1, 2011, API has paid $50,000 for 2011 and $50,000 for 2012 under this Agreement and as of December 21, 2012, and an additional
$150, 000 was due from API under this agreement.
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On February 25, 2006, API entered in a Clinical Trial Agreement with MSKCC and SKI. The agreement provides for the conduct by SKI/MSKCC of a Phase I clinical trials of the use of Actinium 225-HuM195 for the treatment of advanced myeloid malignancy and for API’s partial sponsorship of the study in exchange for access to data resulting from the study. API is obligated to pay SKI (a) $10,000 for each completed case report on a completed subject, and (b) $2,500 for each case report on an incomplete subject. As of December 21, 2012, 18 subjects had been enrolled in this study, and the parties intend to attempt to enroll and additional 3 subjects. The maximum compensation for which API is responsible for under the agreement is $328,000. Since the inception of the trial in 2006, API has paid $180,000 and since January 1, 2011, API has paid $70,000 under the agreement.As of December 31, 2012, no monies were due under this agreement. The trial is ongoing and further fees are likely to be accrued as patients are enrolled. We anticipate enrollment of up to 3 additional patients under this agreement in 2012 and closing of the trial after that.
In April 2010, SKI agreed, on behalf of itself and its related or affiliated entities, including MSKCC, to forbear from collecting or otherwise enforcing API’s then outstanding obligations to those entities and similar obligations arising during a defined forbearance period. The initial outstanding obligations consisted of approximately $260,000 due under API’s license and clinical trials agreements with those entities. In June 2011, SKI agreed to forgive all current and future obligations subject to the forbearance in order to facilitate API’s financing efforts. The forbearance period terminated on October 30, 2011, when the Company satisfied a financing condition to the termination of the forbearance period by raising in excess of $3,000.000 in new equity financing. The total amount forgiven was approximately $360,000.
In April, 2011, SKI agreed to lend API $215,100 in order to fund current operating expenses and addition essential expenditures due over the ensuing six-month period. As of October 30, 2012, API had repaid $171,000 of such loans; the balance is due in January 2013. The largest aggregate amount of these loans outstanding at any time was $215,100.
MSKCC agreed, subject to certain conditions, to utilize donated funds for certain clinical and preclinical programs and activities related to Actinium’s drug development and clinical study programs, including the payment of certain costs and expenses that would otherwise have been borne by Actinium. The following is a summary of activities related to the MSKCC arrangements at December 31, 2011 and 2010:
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Qualified R&D costs incurred by API | $ | 655,786 | $ | 528,319 | ||||
Cash received from MSKCC | 966,341 | 248,418 |
As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had reimbursement receivables for costs incurred of $237,834 and $279,401 from MSKCC, respectively. These amounts have since been paid.
In October 2011, AHL agreed, in connection with API’s concurrent private offering, to waive its rights to anti-dilution adjustments in respect of its outstanding preferred stock and its preemptive rights to purchase the Series E Preferred Stock. AHL also agreed to the restructuring of its registration rights in favor of the private placement purchasers and to the amendment of the stockholders agreement of API to permit, among other transactions, the share exchange and to relinquish its rights to Board representation, although one director originally nominated by MSKCC continued to serve. API agreed (i) not to reduce the indemnification, advancement of expenses and similar rights of present and former directors and officers of API, (ii) until April 30, 2016 to maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance at least in the same manner and to the same extent as then in effect, and (iii) following any merger, asset transfer and certain other transactions to provide for the parity of such directors and officers in respect of indemnification, advancement of expenses and d&o insurance with such rights applicable to the non-continuing directors following such transactions.
On March 27, 2012, Actinium entered into an additional clinical trial agreement with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center with respect to conducting a Phase I/II trial of combination therapy of low dose cytarabine and fractionated dose of Lintuzumab-Ac225. Actinium will pay $31,185 for each patient that has completed the clinical trial. Upon execution of the agreement, Actinium was required to pay a start-up fee of $79,623, which was paid on July 10, 2012. The total number of patients anticipated to be enrolled at MSKCC in this trial is 15.
On December 31, 2012, AHL agreed not to transfer its shares of Common Stock of the Company, subject to exceptions for certain related-party transfers, transfers to trusts and other private transfers, until, in general, the earlier of (i) twelve (12) months from the Closing Date; or (ii) six (6) months following the effective date of the Registration Statement; however, the AHL “lock-up” agreement has not been finalized as of the date of this filing. AHL has certain registration rights with respect to its shares; however, such rights are, in certain respects, subordinate to those of investors in certain recent private placements.
On January 1, 2012, API entered into a Consulting Services Agreement with Dr. Rosemary Mazanet, a director of Cactus. Pursuant to the agreement, Dr. Mazanet is to provide, among other things, consulting services in the areas of implementation of the Actimab trial including all aspects of study initiation until first patient in at each clinical site. Dr. Mazanet receives compensation of $100,000 per year and may receive additional compensation in the form of options at determined by the board of API. Since January 1, 2011, Dr. Mazanet has received options to purchase 225,000 shares of common stock of API.
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Jack Talley, Chief Executive Officer of Cactus, has an agreement pursuant to which he will maintain a 3% equity ownership on a fully diluted basis in Cactus up to the final closing of the Offering. The maximum offering amount with greenshoe option of the Offering is $20,000,000. As of December 28, 2012, a total $5,151,450 has been raised in the Offering.
On August 7, 2012, API entered into an engagement agreement with the Placement Agent, which is affiliated with Mr. Seth, a director of Cactus Ventures, Inc. by virtue of the acquisition transaction of Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mr. Seth is Head of Healthcare Investment Banking for the Placement Agent. Pursuant to the agreement, the Placement Agent was engaged as the exclusive agent for the Offering of the Units by API. None of Cactus’ current officers or directors had a prior relationship or affiliation with Cactus prior to the closing of the Share Exchange. In consideration for its services, the Placement Agent will receive (a) a cash fee equal to 10% of the gross proceeds raised in the Offering, (b) a non-accountable expense reimbursement equal to 2% of the gross proceeds raised in the Offering, and (c) reimbursement of $100,000 for legal expenses incurred by the Placement Agent. The Placement Agent or its designees have also received warrants to purchase shares of API’s Common Stock in an amount equal to 10% of the shares of Common Stock issued as part of the Units sold in the Offering and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the B Warrants included in such Units. The Placement Agent will also receive the same fee and expense schedule for any cash exercise of Warrants within 6 months of the final closing of the Offering and a 5% solicitation fee for any Warrants exercised as a result of being called for redemption by the Company. Upon the final closing of the Offering of the Units the Placement Agent has been engaged by API to provide certain financial advisory services to API for a period of at least 6 months for a monthly fee of $25,000. The agreement also provides that (i) if API consummates any merger, acquisition, business combination or other transaction (other than the Share Exchange) with any party introduced to it by the Placement Agent, the Placement Agent would receive a fee equal to 10% of the aggregate consideration in such transactions, and (ii) if, within a period of 12 months after termination of the advisory services described above, API requires a financing or similar advisory transaction the Placement Agent will have the right to act as API’s financial advisor and investment banker in such financing or transaction pursuant to a set fee schedule set forth in the August 7, 2012 engagement agreement. For a period ending one year after the expiration of all lock-up agreements entered into in connection with the Share Exchange, any change in the size of the API board of directors must be approved by the Placement Agent. The Placement Agent also was engaged by API as placement agent for its Series E Preferred and notes financing in 2011 and, as a part of the fee for that engagement, designees of the Placement Agent also hold warrants to purchase 1,245,226 shares of API’s Common Stock.
On May 9, 2011, API entered into a transaction management agreement with Jamess Capital Group, LLC. (formerly known as Amerasia Capital Group, LLC), a consulting firm affiliated with Mr. Sandesh Seth, a director of the Cactus by virtue of his position as a director of Actinium Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Seth is a Managing Partner of the consulting firm some of whose member interests are held by entities owned by officers and employees of the Placement Agent. None of Cactus’ current officers or directors had a prior relationship or affiliation with Cactus prior to the closing of the Share Exchange. Pursuant to the agreement, the management firm was engaged to provide consulting services to API related to the consummation of a going public transaction for API. The management firm received a monthly fee of $12,500 which is terminable by API three months after the effective date of the going public transaction and designees of Jamess, including entities affiliated with Mr. Seth, were issued warrants to purchase common stock equal to 10% of the fully-diluted capital stock of API as of the effective date of the going public transaction. The fully diluted shares for this calculation included all issued and outstanding shares as well as those reserved under the Employee Stock Option Plan. Jamess Capital Group does not retain beneficial ownership of the warrants as they were issued to designess of the members in amounts which do not qualify either Jamess or the warrant holders for inclusion in the beneficial ownership table. The warrants contain a provision wherein the holder may waive the 90 day exercise notice requirement by giving 65 days prior notice of such waiver. The shares available by exercise of this Warrant are also restricted and may not be sold or otherwise transfered until the earlier of twelve months from the closing date of the Pubco Transaction; or for six months after the planned Registration Statement is declared effective. The consulting firm is also eligible to be reimbursed upon the submission of proper documentation for ordinary and necessary out-of-pocket expenses not to exceed $5,000 per month.
In 2010, API entered into an agreement with Guagenti & Associates LLC (“G&A”). G&A is affiliated with Enza Guagenti, the Chief Financial Officer of Cactus. Pursuant to the agreement, API leases storage space in Newark, NJ from G&A. The rent is $300 per month. Since January 1, 2011, API has paid $3,600 pursuant to this agreement.
Non-Competition Agreements
Our executive officers have signed non-competition agreements, which provide that all inventions become the immediate property of API and require invention assignments. The agreements provide that the executive officers will hold proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not use the confidential information for any purpose not expressly authorized by us.
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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings, which arise in the ordinary course of business. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm business. We are currently not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDENDS ON OUR COMMON EQUITY
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Market Information
Our common stock is listed on OTCBB, under the symbol “CTVN”. However, there is no active market for our Common Stock and trading has been extremely limited. The last quoted price for our Common Stock was $0.10 for a trade on June 1, 2012, as reported on www.otcbb.com. However, as there is currently little to no market for our Common Stock, we believe that this last reported price does not accurately reflect the value of the Common Stock or the Company, and it may not be possible to sell Common Stock at this price.
Holders
As of the Closing Date and after giving effect to the Share Exchange, 4,709,015 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding, which were held by 118 holders of record. There are no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding.
Of the 4,709,015 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, 4,309,015 of such shares are restricted shares under the Securities Act. None of these restricted shares are eligible for resale absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. As of the date hereof, the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act is not available for these shares pursuant to Rule 144(i).
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Registration Rights
The Subscribers are entitled to certain registration rights, including piggy-back registration rights, with respect to the shares of Common Stock purchased in the Offering.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid a cash dividend. Any future decisions regarding dividends will be made by our Board of Directors. We currently intend to retain and use any future earnings for the development and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Our Board of Directors has complete discretion on whether to pay dividends. Even if our Board of Directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.
Penny Stock
Our Common Stock is subject to provisions of Section 15(g) and Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act, commonly referred to as the “penny stock rule.” Section 15(g) sets forth certain requirements for transactions in penny stock, and Rule 15g-9(d) incorporates the definition of “penny stock” that is found in Rule 3a51-1 of the Exchange Act. The SEC generally defines a penny stock to be any equity security that has a market price less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. The Company is subject to the SEC’s penny stock rules.
Since the Common Stock will be deemed to be penny stock, trading in the shares of our common stock is subject to additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell penny stock to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. “Accredited investors” are persons with assets in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 together with their spouse. For transactions covered by these rules, broker-dealers must make a special suitability determination for the purchase of such security and must have the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to the purchase. Additionally, for any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt the rules require the delivery, prior to the first transaction of a risk disclosure document, prepared by the SEC, relating to the penny stock market. A broker-dealer also must disclose the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, monthly statements must be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stocks held in an account and information to the limited market in penny stocks. Consequently, these rules may restrict the ability of broker-dealer to trade and/or maintain a market in our common stock and may affect the ability of the Company’s stockholders to sell their shares of common stock.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
We do not have in effect any compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance. The Company intends to adopt an equity compensation plan in which its directors, officers, employees and consultants shall be eligible to participate. However, no formal steps have been taken as of the date of this Report to adopt such a plan.
RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 3.02 of this Report, which disclosure is incorporated by reference into this section.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Introduction
In the discussion that follows, we have summarized selected provisions of our articles of incorporation, bylaws and Nevada law relating to our capital stock. This summary is not complete. This discussion is subject to the relevant provisions of Nevada law and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our articles of incorporation and our bylaws. You should read the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws as currently in effect for provisions that may be important to you.
Authorized Capital Stock
The total authorized shares of capital stock of the Company currently consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.
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Common Stock
Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of our stockholders, and to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a stockholder vote. Holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Therefore, holders of a majority of the shares of common stock voting for the election of directors can elect all of the directors. Holders of our common stock representing a majority of the voting power of our capital stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, are necessary to constitute a quorum at any meeting of our stockholders. A vote by the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares is required to effectuate certain fundamental corporate changes such as liquidation, merger or an amendment to our articles of incorporation.
In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each outstanding share entitles its holder to participate pro rata in all assets that remain after payment of liabilities and after providing for each class of stock, if any, having preference over the common stock. Holders of our common stock have no pre-emptive rights, no conversion rights and there are no redemption provisions applicable to our common stock.
As of December 28, 2012, 4,709,015 shares of common stock are held by 118 stockholders.
Dividends
Holders of common stock are entitled to share in all dividends that the board of directors, in its discretion, declares from legally available funds. We have not paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock and do not plan to pay any such dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to use all available funds to develop our business. We can give no assurances that we will ever have excess funds available to pay dividends.
Preferred Stock
We are authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in one or more series as may be determined by our Board of Directors, who may establish, from time to time, the number of shares to be included in each series, may fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. Any preferred stock so issued by the Board may rank senior to the common stock with respect to the payment of dividends or amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, or both. Moreover, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, under certain circumstances, the issuance of preferred stock or the existence of the unissued preferred stock might tend to discourage or render more difficult a merger or other change of control. We currently do not have any preferred stock outstanding.
Anti-takeover Effects of Our Articles of Incorporation and By-laws
Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws contain certain provisions that may have anti-takeover effects, making it more difficult for or preventing a third party from acquiring control of our Company or changing our Board of Directors and management. According to our Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation, neither the holders of our common stock nor the holders of our preferred stock have cumulative voting rights in the election of our directors. The combination of the present ownership by a few stockholders of a significant portion of our issued and outstanding common stock and lack of cumulative voting makes it more difficult for other stockholders to replace our Board of Directors or for a third party to obtain control of our Company by replacing our Board of Directors.
Anti-takeover Effects of Nevada Law
Business Combinations
The “business combination” provisions of Sections 78.411 to 78.444, inclusive, of the Nevada Revised Statutes, or NRS, generally prohibit a Nevada corporation with at least 200 stockholders of record, a “resident domestic corporation,” from engaging in various “combination” transactions with any “interested stockholder” unless certain conditions are met or the corporation has elected in its articles of incorporation to not be subject to these provisions.
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A “combination” is generally defined to include (a) a merger or consolidation of the resident domestic corporation or any subsidiary of the resident domestic corporation with the interested stockholder or affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder; (b) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or other disposition, in one transaction or a series of transactions, by the resident domestic corporation or any subsidiary of the resident domestic corporation to or with the interested stockholder or affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder having: (i) an aggregate market value equal to 5% or more of the aggregate market value of the assets of the resident domestic corporation, (ii) an aggregate market value equal to 5% or more of the aggregate market value of all outstanding shares of the resident domestic corporation, or (iii) 10% or more of the earning power or net income of the resident domestic corporation; (c) the issuance or transfer in one transaction or series of transactions of shares of the resident domestic corporation or any subsidiary of the resident domestic corporation having an aggregate market value equal to 5% or more of the resident domestic corporation to the interested stockholder or affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder; and (d) certain other transactions with an interested stockholder or affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.
An “interested stockholder” is generally defined as a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years, did own) 10% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. An “affiliate” of the interested stockholder is any person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries is controlled by or is under common control with the interested stockholder. An “associate” of an interested stockholder is any (a) corporation or organization of which the interested stockholder is an officer or partner or is directly or indirectly the beneficial owner of 10% or more of any class of voting shares of such corporation or organization; (b) trust or other estate in which the interested stockholder has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which the interested stockholder serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; or (c) relative or spouse of the interested stockholder, or any relative of the spouse of the interested stockholder, who has the same home as the interested stockholder.
If applicable, the prohibition is for a period of two years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless such transaction is approved by the board of directors prior to the date the interested stockholder obtained such status; or the combination is approved by the board of directors and thereafter is approved at a meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of stockholders representing at least 60% of the outstanding voting power held by disinterested stockholders; and extends beyond the expiration of the two-year period, unless (a) the combination was approved by the board of directors prior to the person becoming an interested stockholder; (b) the transaction by which the person first became an interested stockholder was approved by the board of directors before the person became an interested stockholder; (c) the transaction is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power held by disinterested stockholders at a meeting called for that purpose no earlier than two years after the date the person first became an interested stockholder; or (d) if the consideration to be paid to all stockholders other than the interested stockholder is, generally, at least equal to the highest of: (i) the highest price per share paid by the interested stockholder within the three years immediately preceding the date of the announcement of the combination or in the transaction in which it became an interested stockholder, whichever is higher, plus compounded interest and less dividends paid, (ii) the market value per share of common shares on the date of announcement of the combination and the date the interested stockholder acquired the shares, whichever is higher, plus compounded interest and less dividends paid, or (iii) for holders of preferred stock, the highest liquidation value of the preferred stock, plus accrued dividends, if not included in the liquidation value. With respect to (i) and (ii) above, the interest is compounded at the rate for one-year United States Treasury obligations from time to time in effect.
Applicability of the Nevada business combination law would discourage parties interested in taking control of our company if they cannot obtain the approval of our board of directors. These provisions could prohibit or delay a merger or other takeover or change in control attempt and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire our company even though such a transaction may offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing market price. The Company has elected to not be governed by the Nevada business combination provisions.
Control Share Acquisitions
The “control share” provisions of Sections 78.378 to 78.3793, inclusive, of the NRS, apply to “issuing corporations,” which are Nevada corporations with at least 200 stockholders of record, including at least 100 stockholders of record who are Nevada residents, and which conduct business directly or indirectly in Nevada, unless the corporation has elected to not be subject to these provisions.
The control share statute prohibits an acquirer of shares of an issuing corporation, under certain circumstances, from voting its shares of a corporation’s stock after crossing certain ownership threshold percentages, unless the acquirer obtains approval of the target corporation’s disinterested stockholders. The statute specifies three thresholds: (a) one-fifth or more but less than one-third, (b) one-third but less than a majority, and (c) a majority or more, of the outstanding voting power. Generally, once a person acquires shares in excess of any of the thresholds, those shares and any additional shares acquired within 90 days thereof become “control shares” and such control shares are deprived of the right to vote until disinterested stockholders restore the right. These provisions also provide that if control shares are accorded full voting rights and the acquiring person has acquired a majority or more of all voting power, all other stockholders who do not vote in favor of authorizing voting rights to the control shares are entitled to demand payment for the fair value of their shares in accordance with statutory procedures established for dissenters’ rights.
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A corporation may elect to not be governed by, or “opt out” of, the control share provisions by making an election in its articles of incorporation or bylaws, provided that the opt-out election must be in place on the 10th day following the date an acquiring person has acquired a controlling interest, that is, crossing any of the three thresholds described above. We have opted out of the control share statutes, and, provided the “opt out” election remains in place, we will not be subject to the control share statutes.
The effect of the Nevada control share statute is that the acquiring person, and those acting in association with the acquiring person, will obtain only such voting rights in the control shares as are conferred by a resolution of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting. The Nevada control share law, if applicable, could have the effect of discouraging takeovers of our company.
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
We are a Nevada corporation and generally governed by the Nevada Private Corporations Code, Title 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, or NRS.
Section 78.138 of the NRS provides that, unless the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation provide otherwise, a director or officer will not be individually liable unless it is proven that (i) the director’s or officer’s acts or omissions constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties, and (ii) such breach involved intentional misconduct, fraud, or a knowing violation of the law. Our Articles of Incorporation provide that no director or officer shall be personally liable to the corporation or any of its stockholders for damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer except for liability of a director or officer for (i) acts or omissions involving intentional misconduct, fraud, or a knowing violation of law or (ii) payment of dividends in violation of Section 78-300 of the NRS.
Section 78.7502 of the NRS permits a company to indemnify its directors and officers against expenses, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, if the officer or director (i) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138, or (ii) acted in good faith and in a manner the officer or director reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, if a criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct of the officer or director was unlawful. Section 78.7502 of the NRS also precludes indemnification by the corporation if the officer or director has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals, to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court determines that in view of all the circumstances, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses and requires a corporation to indemnify its officers and directors if they have been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any claim, issue, or matter resulting from their service as a director or officer.
Section 78.751 of the NRS permits a Nevada company to indemnify its officers and directors against expenses incurred by them in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding as they are incurred and in advance of final disposition thereof, upon determination by the stockholders, the disinterested board members, or by independent legal counsel. Section 78.751 of NRS requires a corporation to advance expenses as incurred upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the officer or director to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that such officer or director is not entitled to be indemnified by the company if so provided in the corporations articles of incorporation, bylaws, or other agreement. Section 78.751 of the NRS further permits the company to grant its directors and officers additional rights of indemnification under its articles of incorporation, bylaws, or other agreement.
Section 78.752 of the NRS provides that a Nevada company may purchase and maintain insurance or make other financial arrangements on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the company, or is or was serving at the request of the company as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another company, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, for any liability asserted against him and liability and expenses incurred by him in his capacity as a director, officer, employee, or agent, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the company has the authority to indemnify him against such liability and expenses.
The Bylaws implement the indemnification and insurance provisions permitted by Chapter 78 of the NRS by providing that the Company:
● | shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner specified in the [NRS], indemnify each of its directors and officers against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding arising by reason of the fact that any such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation. The Corporation shall have the power to advance expenses incurred in defending any proceeding prior to the disposition of the proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay that amount if it shall be determined ultimately that the person is not entitled to indemnification. |
Actinium Holdings Ltd. Indemnification
Pursuant to a letter Agreement dated, July 2011, between API and Actinium Holdings Ltd., API agreed to indemnify certain officers and directors of a predecessor company. Pursuant to the agreement, API will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, eliminate or otherwise reduce the right of any present or former director or officer of API, Actinium Pharmaceuticals Limited, a Bermuda corporation that merged into the Company (“APL”), and/or the present and former subsidiaries of API or APL (all such entities, collectively, the “Company Group”) who currently serves, or at any time prior to the date thereof served, in any such capacity (all such directors and officers, collectively “Company Group Managers”) to be indemnified against any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities of any nature whatsoever, incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining to matters existing or occurring on, prior to or after the date thereof, whether asserted or claimed prior to, on or after the date thereof, arising, in whole or in part, out of or pertaining to the fact that he or she is or was, or at any time in the future will have been, a Company Group Manager or is or was, or at any time in the future will have been, serving at the request of any entity in the Company Group (or at the request of any present or former affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) of API for and on behalf of any entity in the Company Group as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, other entity or otherwise, or to be advanced expenses, in any of the foregoing cases, to the fullest extent that such Company Group Manager would be entitled to be indemnified or advanced expenses under applicable law, API’s or any such subsidiaries’ certificate or articles of incorporation or bylaws or equivalent documents or any applicable contract (collectively, the “Applicable Documents”), in each case, as in effect on the date thereof.
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At the present time, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director, officer, employee, or other agent of ours in which indemnification would be required or permitted. We are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for such indemnification.
Note: Indemnification arrangements under AHL waiver?
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Item 3.02 | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities. |
The information contained in Item 1.01 above is incorporated herein by reference in response to this Item 3.02.
The shares of common stock issued to the former shareholders of Actinium in connection with the Share Exchange were offered and sold in a private transaction in reliance upon exemptions from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act. Our reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act was based upon the following factors: (a) the issuance of the securities was an isolated private transaction by us which did not involve a public offering; (b) there were only a limited number of offerees; (c) there were no subsequent or contemporaneous public offerings of the securities by us; (d) the securities were not broken down into smaller denominations; and (e) the negotiations for the sale of the stock took place directly between the offerees and us. Our reliance on Regulation S was based on that such shareholders were not a “U.S. person” as that term is defined in Rule 902(k) of Regulation S under the Act, and that such shareholders were acquiring our common stock, for investment purposes for their own respective accounts and not as nominees or agents, and not with a view to the resale or distribution thereof, and that the shareholders understood that the shares of our common stock may not be sold or otherwise disposed of without registration under the Securities Act or an applicable exemption therefrom.
The securities were offered and sold in reliance upon exemptions from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D (“Regulation D”) promulgated under the Securities Act. The Company made this determination based on the representations of the investors which included, in pertinent part, that each such investor was an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D and upon such further representations from each investor that (i) such investor is acquiring the securities for its own account for investment and not for the account of any other person and not with a view to or for distribution, assignment or resale in connection with any distribution within the meaning of the Securities Act, (ii) such investor agrees not to sell or otherwise transfer the purchased securities or shares underlying such securities unless they are registered under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, or an exemption or exemptions from such registration are available, (iii) such investor has knowledge and experience in financial and business matters such that such investor is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in us, (iv) such investor had access to all of the Company’s documents, records, and books pertaining to the investment and was provided the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers regarding the terms and conditions of the Offering and to obtain any additional information which the Company possessed or was able to acquire without unreasonable effort and expense, and (v) such investor has no need for the liquidity in its investment in us and could afford the complete loss of such investment. In addition, there was no general solicitation or advertising for securities issued in reliance upon Regulation D.
Item 4.01. | Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant. |
(a) Dismissal of Independent Accountant Previously Engaged as Principal Accountant.
On December 28, 2012, the Company dismissed R.R. Hawkins & Associates International, a PC (“Hawkins”), as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company. The dismissal was approved by the Board of Directors.
The reports of Hawkins on the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, did not contain any adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles except an explanatory paragraph as to an uncertainty with respect to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, and through the date of this report, there were no (1) disagreements with Hawkins on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements if not resolved to the satisfaction of Hawkins, would have caused them to make reference thereto in their reports on the financial statements for such years; or (2) “reportable events” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
The Company has requested that Hawkins furnish it with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the above statements and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A copy of such letter, dated December 28, 2012, indicating that it is in agreement with such disclosures is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Form 8-K.
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(b) Engagement of New Independent Accountant as Principal Accountant.
On December 28, 2012, the Board of Directors approved the appointment of GBH CPAs, PC (“GBH”) as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company.
During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent interim periods preceding GBH’s engagement, neither the Company nor anyone on behalf of the Company consulted with GBH regarding the application of accounting principles to any specific completed or contemplated transaction, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and GBH did not provide any written or oral advice that was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue or any matter that was the subject of a “disagreement” or a “reportable event,” as such terms are defined in Item 304(a)(1) of Regulation S-K.
Item 5.01 | Changes in Control of Registrant. |
Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 2.01 of this report, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
Prior to the Share Exchange, Diane S. Button, the former sole officer and director of Cactus, owned 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock, comprising approximately 89.65%, of the issued and outstanding shares, and Bruce Holden owned 926,600, comprising approximately 8.3% of the issued and outstanding shares.
Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On the Closing Date, Diane S. Button submitted a resignation letter to Cactus resigning from her position as the sole director and officer, effective upon the closing of the Share Exchange. The resignation of Ms. Button was not in connection with any known disagreement with us on any matter.
On the Closing Date, Jack V. Talley, Rosemary Mazanet, MD, PhD, David Nicholson, PhD, Sandesh Seth, MS, MBA, and Sergio Traversa, MBA were appointed by our Board of Directors to fill the vacancies created by the resignation of Ms. Button, effective upon the closing of the Share Exchange.
In addition, on the Closing Date, the Board of Directors appointed Jack V. Talley as the President and Chief Executive Officer, Dragan Cicic, MD as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer, and Enza Guagenti, CPA as the Chief Financial Officer, effective upon the closing of the Share Exchange.
For certain biographical and other information regarding the new directors and officers of the Company, see the disclosure under “Item 2.01—Directors and Executive Officers” of this Report, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.05 | Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, Waiver of the Code of Ethics. |
On December 28, 2012, the Cactus Board of Directors adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to its executive officers and directors.
The foregoing description of the Code of Ethics is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Code of Ethics filed as Exhibit 14.1 to this Report, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 5.06 | Change in Shell Company Status. |
To the extent that we might have been deemed to be a shell company prior to the closing of the Share Exchange, reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Items 2.01 and 5.01 of this Report, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(a) | Financial Statements of Business Acquired. |
In accordance with Item 9.01(a), the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 for Actinium are included with this Current Report as exhibit 99.1 and 99.2.
(b) | Pro Forma Financial Information. |
In accordance with Item 9.01(b), unaudited pro forma combined financial information of Cactus are included with this Current Report as exhibit 99.3.
(c) | Shell Company Transactions. |
Reference is made to Items 9.01(a) and 9.01(b) and the exhibits referred to therein which are incorporated herein by reference.
(d) | Exhibits. |
Certain of the agreements filed as exhibits to this Report contain representations and warranties by the parties to the agreements that have been made solely for the benefit of the parties to the agreement. These representations and warranties:
● | may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other parties in connection with the negotiation of the agreements, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreements; |
● | may apply standards of materiality that differ from those of a reasonable investor; and |
● | were made only as of specified dates contained in the agreements and are subject to subsequent developments and changed circumstances. |
Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date that these representations and warranties were made or at any other time. Investors should not rely on them as statements of fact.
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Exhibit Number | Description | ||
2.1 | Share Exchange Agreement, dated December 28, 2012, by and among Cactus Ventures, Inc., Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Diane S. Button, and the shareholders of Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013). | ||
3.1 | Articles of Incorporation of Cactus Ventures, Inc.(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.01 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10-SB filed with the SEC on February 5, 2007). | ||
3.2 | Amendment No. 1 to the Articles of Incorporation of Cactus Ventures, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.02 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10-SB filed with the SEC on February 5, 2007). | ||
3.3 | Amendment No. 2 to the Articles of Incorporation of Cactus Ventures, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.03 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10-SB filed with the SEC on February 5, 2007). | ||
3.4 | Amendment No. 3 to the Articles of Incorporation of Cactus Ventures, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.04 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10-SB filed with the SEC on February 5, 2007). | ||
3.5 | Fifth Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013). | ||
3.6 | Bylaws of Cactus Ventures, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.05 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10-SB filed with the SEC on February 5, 2007). | ||
3.7 | Bylaws of Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013). | ||
4.1 | Form of A Warrant, dated December 19, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013). | ||
4.2 | Form of B Warrant, dated December 19, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013). | ||
4.3 | Form of Lock Up Agreement, dated December ____, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013). | ||
10.1 | Registration Rights Agreement, by and among Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., General Atlantic Investments Limited, and Certain Stockholders, dated June 30, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013). | ||
10.2 | Amendment No. 1 to June 30, 2000 Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 29, 2011. | ||
10.3 | First Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, by and among Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Actinium Holdings Limited, N.V. Organon, and the Stockholders Listed Therein, dated October 5, 2011. | ||
10.4 | Second Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, by and among Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Actinium Holdings Limited, and the Investors Listed Therein, dated October 5, 2011. | ||
10.5 | Placement Agent Engagement Agreement, by and between Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd. and Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., dated August 7, 2012. | ||
10.6 | Form of Subscription Agreement, dated December 19, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013). | ||
10.7 | Form of Unit Purchase Agreement, dated December 19, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013). | ||
10.8 | Employment Agreement, dated January 2, 2006, between Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Dragan Cicic | ||
10.9 | License, Development and Commercialization Agreement between Sloan-Kettering Institute of Cancer Research, and Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., dated February 11, 2002; as amended by the First Amendment dated August 7, 2006 | ||
10.10 | Phase I/II Study on the safety and efficiency of 225ACAc-HuM195 in patients with advanced Myeloid malignancies with Millennix Oncology, Averion Project, dated December 6, 2006. | ||
10.11 | Product Development and Patent License Agreement, dated February 27, 2003, by and between Abbott Biotherapeutics and Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ||
10.12 | Clinical Trial Agreement, dated July 19, 2012, by and between Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ||
10.13 | Employment Letter between Jack V. Talley and Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective August 15, 2012. | ||
10.14 | Employment Letter between Enza Guagenti and Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective August 15, 2012. | ||
10.15 | Clinical Trial Agreement, dated January 18, 2001, between Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for the purpose of conducting a clinical trial entitled “Phase I/II trial of 213Bi-M195 and cytarabine for Acute Myeloid Leukemia.” | ||
10.16 | Clinical Trial Agreement with The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, dated November 8, 2012. | ||
10.17 | Clinical Trial Agreement, dated March 27, 2012, with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. | ||
10.18 | Clinical Trial Agreement, dated September 22, 2012, with Johns Hopkins University, dated September 24, 2012. | ||
10.19 | License Agreement, dated June 14, 2012, for BC8 antibody with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. | ||
10.20 | 2012 Unit Investor Rights Agreement, dated December 19, 2012, by and among Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the persons identified on Exhibit A attached thereto hereto, and the Placement Agent (defined below). | ||
10.21 | Project Agreement, dated September 30, 2011, between Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Aptiv Solutions, Inc. | ||
10.22 | Proposal, dated March 30, 2007, with IsoTherapeutics Group, LLC. | ||
10.23 | Clinical Trial Agreement with The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer, dated March 1, 2012. | ||
10.24 | Amendment No. 1 to Research Agreement, dated November 7, 2012, between Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer. |
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10.25 | Letter Agreement, dated June 19, 2011, between Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research. | ||
10.26 | Letter Agreement, dated April 9, 2010, between Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research. | ||
10.27 | Letter Agreement, dated July __, 2010, between Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Actinium Holdings Limited (Waiver of Anti-Dilution Rights). | ||
10.28 | Clinical Trial Agreement, dated April 12, 2006, with Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research and Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases. | ||
10.29 | Letter Agreement, dated __, 2011, between Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Actinium Holdings Limited (Waiver of Registration Rights). | ||
14.1 | Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 to Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013). | ||
16.1 | Letter from R.R. Hawkins & Associates International, a PC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16.1 to Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013). | ||
99.1 | Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 for Actinium (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013). | ||
99.2 | Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 for Actinium (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013). | ||
99.3 | Unaudited pro forma combined financial information of Cactus Ventures, Inc. and Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: January 4, 2013 | CACTUS VENTURES, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Jack V. Talley | ||
Name: Jack V. Talley Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
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